Preface

The evil specter of child abuse is enormously present in our society, afflicting children of all ages, races and gender. Since 1990, and due to national attention, incidents of child abuse and molestation have risen alarmingly, with tens of thousands of cases investigated each year. In order to better address this tragedy, more must be done by authoritative agencies and institutions to raise awareness within our population. Children must be understood to be under-protected, visibly vulnerable, and at times void of human rights considerations. The compassion which must be given to children cannot be limited to parents and to family: it must become the consciousness of the entire community. To violate the innocence of a child goes far beyond despicability. It is a heinous, ruthless crime that demands the most stringent punishment that the law will allow. Patrick Crough has provided a compassionate and insightful document based on his many years of dealing with these crimes as a criminal investigator. This will not be comfortable fireside reading. This is a direct, graphic and lurid study of crimes against children. Some will read part of it but will lack the heart to continue, while others will read it over their tears, roll up their sleeves and come out fighting.

John S. Walker
Facilitator of Child Abuse Network
Rochester, New York