Description
Book SynopsisUnderstanding Child Abuse is the first book to look at women whose partners are child sex offenders. Much of the book is devoted to the voices of the women themselves, telling their stories and how they feel about the situations in which they found themselves, how they coped, and how they remade their lives and those of their families. They describe what they learned from their experience and how it changed them.
Such experience is largely overlooked by researchers, agencies and policy makers and this book throws unique light on this neglected area. The chapters cover:
- What we know about child sexual abuse, offenders and the effect of sexual abuse on children.
- A detailed description of the work which allows the women to explore and compare their experiences and feelings about what has happened.
- Verbatim interviews with both partners and offenders.
Combining theory, practice and personal t
Trade Review
'Through sensitive interviews, Terry Philpot reveals the range of feelings and emotions experienced by mothers whose male partners have sexually abused children. He provides an invaluable insight into the varied motivations and behaviours of sex offenders and the ways their offending can be addressed. He surveys the available research and presents the key findings in an immensely readable and engaging style. This is a valuable contribution to a long neglected aspect of sex abuse.'
Sir Roger Singleton CBE, Chair of the Independent Safeguarding Authority
Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Children, Sexual abuse and its effects 2. A mother’s lot 3. Child sex offenders and what we know about them 4. A place of safety
