Predators and Child Molesters: What Every Parent Needs to Know to Keep Kids Safe

[Farmer's Wife/Glass_Half_Full]

Predators and Child Molesters: What Every Parent Needs to Know to Keep Kids Safe
By Robin Sax

While researching for my article published in Root & Sprout (May 2009 issue) on how to Predator Proof Your Child, I found Robin Sax. Robin is Deputy District Attorney for the County of Los Angeles assigned to the Sex Crimes unit, specializing in Child Sexual Assault. In her book, Predators and Child Molesters — What Every Parent Needs to Know to Keep Kids Safe she states, “Empowering, not scaring, children is what allows them to handle the situation, while fear tends to make them freeze and may actually disable them if they need to act in an emergency.”

Robin has over 15 years of experience prosecuting sex crimes against children. She explains the issues and answers the questions so many parents have. Her book covers every aspect regarding sex crimes and sexual abuse against children.

In Predators and Child Molesters — What Every Parent Needs to Know to Keep Kids Safe, Robins answers 100 of the most asked questions regarding predators, child molesters, how to keep your kids safe, how to be aware and make your children aware, and even how to handle a situation within the legal system should your child be perpetrated.

The book is broken down into six parts and each part addresses the issues pertaining to that part in a question and answer format. The answers are clear, detailed and not tangled with legal jargon.

Each part has an average of 15 questions. Below, I’ve outlined each Part with a few questions from within each section.

Part One: Recognizing the Predators: Molesters, pedophiles and opportunists
What’s the difference between a pedophile, a molester, an opportunist, and a predator?
What does a child molester look like?
What is “grooming”?
Where do molesters seek their victims?
Why do people molest?

Part Two: Talking to Kids About Risks and Recognizing Potential Problems
How often should I talk to my kids about preventing sexual abuse?
How can I teach my children about personal safety without scaring them?
Is it okay to tell my children news stories about sexually assaulted children?
Why are predators so successful on the internet?
What rules should we have about the internet?
What factors make someone more likely to sexually abuse a child?

Part Three: Recognizing Abuse
What are the signs a child has been improperly touched?
What are the qualities of “unnatural” sexual behavior?
What do I do if I am uncomfortable with the way someone acted, even though they never touched my child or said anything directly sexual?
What should I do if my child discloses he or she has been sexually assaulted?
What makes kids disclose/not disclose molestation?


Part Four: Reporting Abuse
What are the general stages of crime scene investigation as it relates to child sexual assault investigation?
What is “child sexual abuse accommodation syndrome”?
How do you find a predator whose identify my child doesn’t know?
What is a forensic interview?
Will be interview be videotaped? Can I watch the interview?

Part Five: Going to Court
What makes a case qualify to be filed?
How long does a prosecutor have to file charges?
What if the victim or parent does not want to file charges?
What are the typical stages of the criminal court process? How long does the process take?
Does the victim have a say in the perpetrator’s sentencing?

Part Six: Healing and Moving On
What kind of financial resources are available for the victim?
Can a molester be cured?
How should I talk to my child about the abuse?
Can my child victim turn into an adult perpetrator?
Where can I go for more information?


I was so anxious to read this book that the author sent me an uncorrected advanced reading copy. It is a book that answered all my questions and left me feeling empowered. Somewhat sickened by the predators that are out there, but more knowledgeable in the fact that I know how to keep them at bay and away from my children.

I have shared this book with friends and fellow parents. This is one of my top five parenting books that I will always keep on hand. Knowledge is power and my personal opinion is that all parents should read this book.