Sexual Abuse of Children and Adolescents: A Preventive Guide for Parents, Teachers, and Counselors

In this, his third volume, Dr. Prendergast focuses on preventing the sexual abuse of so many of our young children and adolescents. After 34 years of experience in the "cesspool" of sexual offenses, he is convinced that naivete, denial, and complacency by not only the children/adolescents but by adults as well are essential factors in these abuses and that the sexual predator utilizes these elements to successfully achieve his or her perverted needs.
Prendergast's proposed solution is knowledge for all concerned. He presents a thorough understanding of the makeup of the sexual predator, the personality traits of the ideal victims, the needs and reasoning of children and adolescents, the opportunities and locations of sexual molestations, and the mistakes that parents, teachers, religious leaders, and even professional counselors make. Through this knowledge, Prendergast maintains that at least 90 percent of seductive molestations can be prevented and a smaller but significant percentage of assaultive molestations can be avoided as well.

William E. Prendergast, Ph.D., was Director of Professional Services at the Adult Diagnostic & Treatment Center for the New Jersey Department of Corrections.