Predators and Child Molesters
How’s that for a title?
Robin Sax is a parent and a prosecutor of people who commit sex crimes against children. Read that again. Sex crimes against children. If that doesn’t make you throw up in your mouth a little bit, you’re probably dead.
Robin’s newest book, Predators and Child Molesters: What Every Parent Needs to Know to Keep Kids Safe takes the form of a Q&A session. Robin answers 100 of the most asked questions about child molesters and the processes involved in what they do and in what we do to get them off the streets from the perspective of a Los Angeles sex crimes D.A. who is a mother herself. While I wouldn’t call it an enjoyable read, that’s not a reflection of the quality of the book. It’s well written, succinct and a very easy read. It’s just a very unpleasant topic. However unpleasant, it needs to be added to the required reading list for all parents and everyone who works with/cares for/loves children.
The book is organized into six sections: Recognizing predators: molesters, pedophiles, and opportunists; Talking to kids about risks and identifying potential problems; Recognizing abuse; Reporting sexual abuse; Going to court; and Healing and moving on. She teaches that the job of protecting our children begins with parents in the home. “Parents must view protecting children from the potential of sexual assault as a priority. Teaching children preventive measures should be viewed as important as teaching kids how to dial 9-1-1.” It makes you think, that’s for sure.
One of Robin’s tips that we’ve implemented in our home (before I read this book, but I was glad to see I was right) was to teach them that they, and only they, own their bodies and they can say ‘no’ to anyone. If they say no tickling, there’s no tickling. If they don’t want a hug, there’s no hug. Of course, usually they want all of the above from us, but it’s important thaw we empower them and stop if they test those waters by asking us to stop.
In short: Read this book as soon as you can get your hands on a copy. Twelve bucks could help you save the innocence of a child.
Win it! We’re giving away a copy of Robin’s book to one reader. To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on June 26, 2009.
CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED
June 19th, 2009 at 8:45 am
Not something I want to read but I know I should becasue ignorance could cost you
June 19th, 2009 at 11:57 am
This is a topic I’d like to know more about!
June 19th, 2009 at 11:58 am
would love to read this-
June 19th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I would love to win this, read it and pass it on to my daughters who have small children!
Thanks
nancyrobster@gmail.com
June 19th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
I feel this would be an important book for all parents.
June 19th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Every parent needs to know as much as possible to keep their kids safe, especially from child-molesters. I would love to win this book.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
As a survivor of sexual abuse I want to educate myself on the subject to protect my future children. Thanks for the giveaway.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
I would like to read this book. Please enter me in your giveaway. Thank you.
June 19th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Sounds like a very important read. We have three little ones, so I’d love to read it.
June 19th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
I’m a subscriber.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
I would LOVE to have this book to read, better yet to have it on my shelf so I could reread it whenever I wanted. I was molested by a family friend who was like a grampa to me, so thank you Robin for writing this book for us moms and dads to read and keep our children safe. The more tools we have as parent’s the safer we can keep our children and possibly others as well.
Sorry for the self discloser, I hope it didn’t offend anyone.
Michelle
June 19th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
I subscribe.
June 20th, 2009 at 5:02 am
just to cool, thank you
June 20th, 2009 at 7:05 am
This seems like a must have book for all parents!
June 20th, 2009 at 7:11 am
A book that every family and every teacher should have.
June 20th, 2009 at 10:07 am
If I don’t win this one, I’m definitely getting a copy. This is such an important topic.
June 20th, 2009 at 10:07 am
I’m a subscriber.
June 20th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Unfortunately this is a problem that we must face. I would love to have this. The more info I have the better off my children will be.
June 20th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
looks like a very informative read, especially since we are expecting our first child in oct.
June 20th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
I would love to win.
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
June 21st, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I am a subscriber.
June 21st, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Great read, great contest!
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:03 am
This looks like an interesting read. Thanks for the chance.
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:38 am
I am interested in creating more public awareness in my country and this would indeed be a great asset!
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:49 pm
I have little granchildren, so this book would be a great help. Thank you!
June 22nd, 2009 at 7:27 pm
The world is a scary place anymore… every little bit of knowledge helps.
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:12 pm
I would really like to read this and educate myself on the dangers.
June 23rd, 2009 at 6:52 am
Such an important topic. I look forward to reading it.
June 23rd, 2009 at 2:50 pm
sounds like a must read
June 23rd, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Would love to receive a copy of this book!
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:43 pm
this would be great for all mothers and fathers- i have seen on the states website a bunch my my neigborhood. very scarey.
June 24th, 2009 at 10:23 am
I would love to read this book. Being a mother of 2 small children this is information that is a must!
June 24th, 2009 at 10:48 am
This looks like a very informative book. Thanks for the chance
jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
June 24th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I need advice on this topic. Unfortunately we’ve had to deal with this in the past and didn’t know where to turn.
June 24th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
An important topic that is rarely addressed.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo.com
June 25th, 2009 at 4:53 am
This would be good for all parents.
June 25th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
I would really like to be more knowledgeable on this subject! The poor children!
June 25th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
enter me
June 25th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
I would love to get this for my family! This is probably the best contest ever!
June 25th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
I think this would be great for all parents, and I would love to read it.
tuesdayef (at) aol dot com
June 25th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
For my family!
June 25th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Thanks for the giveaway!
June 25th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Sounds like a really important read.
June 26th, 2009 at 1:05 am
It is such a scary subject, but also such an important one. Thanks for the contest and God bless our children!
June 26th, 2009 at 1:45 am
This is a very needy book.I wish parents would demand that something be done about this problem in America.
June 26th, 2009 at 5:32 am
Sounds very interesting!
June 26th, 2009 at 5:36 am
I would love to read this book.
June 26th, 2009 at 6:58 am
I am so glad to see recent writings on this subject. I was sexually abused as a child and thought that because of that I could protect my children. I was wrong. My daughter was sexually abused for 8 long years before I found out and in searching for books and information on the subject, I found very little, and alot of what I did find was outdated. Since that day I have made it my life’s work to get this awful subject into the mainstream. Too many people find this subject taboo and that needs to change. We, as a people, need to be informed on this subject not only for the protection of our children, but also to give everyone, including people not affected by this type of abuse, the knowledge to protect all kids, and the courage to send a message to pedophiles, that we will not tolerate their actions in our society.
June 26th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Looks like an informative book
June 26th, 2009 at 9:36 am
it’s great that there is a book like this
June 26th, 2009 at 9:36 am
subscribed by google reader
June 26th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Thanks for the GREAT giveaway
please count me in
June 26th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
June 26th, 2009 at 11:50 am
I’ll pass this around to all my local moms! Thanks for the chance.
June 26th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
I would love to read this