Sexual Predators Amongst Us

It is imperative that educators, parents, and potential victims be aware of sexual predators, the danger they pose in our society, and the resources available to help prevent this growing epidemic. Written from a police perspective, Sexual Predators Amongst Us examines the problem of sexual predation, how the Internet has contributed to its growth, and how we can protect children and the general public from these offenders.

The book begins by identifying traits and characteristics associated with sexual predation and explaining how the predator "grooms" his victims by gaining their trust. Chapters cover a range of topics related to sexual predation, including child abuse, incest, pedophilia in the clergy, sex trafficking, female sex offenders, and child pornography. The author explains how the Internet through social networking sites provides ample opportunities for sexual predators to entice their victims. He examines rehabilitation issues, describes legislation that has been passed in response to various tragic cases, and discusses sex offender registration.

Maintaining a user-friendly style, the book follows a consistent format, with each chapter containing:

• Quotes from actual victims and predators
• Key words associated with the chapter material and their definitions
• In My Opinion segments, where experts in the fields of health, psychology, law, government, criminal justice, and academia voice their honest and objective opinions regarding sexual predators
• Profiles of male and female sex offenders to help readers identify common traits

The book concludes with recommendations to parents for keeping children safe from online predators. Thought-provoking and direct, it is suitable as a university text as well as a reference for police academies, parents, and schools conducting awareness training courses.

Ron Rufo has been a Chicago police officer for the past 17 years. He has spent most of his career as a crime prevention speaker with the Preventive Programs unit and has given hundreds of presentations in Internet safety, street safety, and workplace violence. Dr. Rufo has taught many classes in police procedures and policies and has been instrumental as a team leader in the Chicago Police Department Peer Support Group. Dr. Rufo has received numerous awards, commendations, honorable mentions, and letters of appreciation in serving the citizens of Chicago. He was awarded his master of arts degree in organizational leadership from Lewis University in 2002 and graduated with his doctoral degree in organizational leadership from Argosy University, Atlanta, Georgia, in 2007. His dissertation title was "An Investigation of Online Predation of Minors by Convicted Male Offenders." He has also contributed to the book Terrorism and Property Management.