"Julian Sher does a superb job of attacking the
almost unbearable subject of child sexual abuse, by giving a
voice to the victims and investigators who can't turn a blind
eye, either by choice or conscience… 'One Child' gives
readers hope, a renewed sense of direction and purpose."
- Globe and Mail
"Riveting" - Maclean's Magazine
"Eye-opening...it reads like a thriller, complete
with sting operations and stakeouts that could easily figure
on the TV series 24." - Montreal Gazette
"Fine and gripping... an important book that ultimately
calls on us to do what we can." - Toronto Star
"A monumental piece of work, an extraordinary contribution.
It is a devastating account of a profound tragedy. It is also
a book filled with hope -- the hope and knowledge that
there are so many out there who are fighting this cancer in
our societies." - Mandy Patinkin, star of the CBS series:
"Criminal Minds"
From a renowned investigative
reporter, the true story behind a horrifying Internet abuse epidemic-and
the heroes who are out to stop it.
The Internet has helped make child abuse terrifyingly common -
it is the new face of crime in the 21st century. There are tens,
probably hundreds of thousands of children whose sexual abuse
has been electronically recorded and distributed on the Internet.
As Julian Sher reveals, the men perpetrating these crimes include
lawyers, priests, doctors and politicians. They pick their victims
from the streets of Bangkok to the Boy Scout troops in England,
while the police -- from a crack image analyst with the Toronto
police to an FBI agent who poses as a 13 year old girl online
- work desperately to nab the predators.
The book goes behind the headlines to show how law officers are
fighting back against this tide of abuse, from daring rescues
in homes to the seizures of millions of dollars in the offshore
bank accounts of the porn merchants. In riveting detail, Julian
Sher shows how clue by clue, and image by image, investigators
are using cutting edge tools, turning the technology of the Internet
against the perpetrators as they race to find and rescue the victims-children
who otherwise have no voice.
This important book explores the ramifications of
a worldwide struggle, from the need for updated legal powers to
the unexpected effects the Internet has had on our social fabric.
It also includes a full list of resources for concerned parents.
Though sometimes harrowing, this book is also inspiring-and never
less than absolutely relevant.
