MIND OF A MOLESTERWhen you listen to the local news or read the newspaper and learn of someone accused of sexual abuse of a child, what goes through your mind? Do you consider the person a monster? Do you view the behavior as monstrous? Do you look at people in your neighborhood and wonder if there is any concern for your children? Do you wonder about relatives and friends? 90% of sexual abuse of children actually occurs with someone known to the child. This is a very scary subject. It is devastating to think that one of our children could be victimized in this way. But, how much do we know about child sexual abuse and what do we need to know? Kenneth Quinn has written about the thinking and subsequent behavior process over an 18 year period which culminated in child sexual abuse. The book is not written as a defense of this behavior. It is written with the goal of promoting discussion this behavior and how it developed over time. The second part of the book deals with how the assumptions about life were challenged and confronted which has resulted in a healthier life style which promotes community safety. It is the story of honest self-reflection, tough love, and healing. One way to measure this healing is that Ken will be a grandparent and is included as a grandparent even with his past. The book outlines how this has occurred. The final section of the book discusses research on child sexual abuse and the various means of approaching the subject. There is not one “Correct” or accepted way. Each view is examined. Use of sex offender registries is examined as a means of promoting community safety or the illusion of community safety. Each reader is encouraged to look at the evidence presented and come to their own conclusions. A final section examines treatment modalities for child sexual abusers including one in Germany that offers a unique potential solution. |
