The Merry-Go-Round of Sexual Abuse is a valuable guide to identifying, treating, and breaking the cycle of sexual abuse. Based on 30 years of professional experience in treating offenders and survivors of sexual assault and sexual molestation, Dr. Prendergast provides step-by-step guidelines and specialized treatment techniques most effective in producing change in this group of clients. Each technique is illustrated with pertinent case studies. This is a much-needed guide for professionals who often lack specific training in the identification and treatment of both offenders and survivors of sexual abuse.

Prendergast identifies the survivors of sexual abuse, explores the “why sex” inquiry and discusses the characteristics of the abuser. Each topic is treated by first presenting a fact or principle which is then illustrated with a case study that exhibits the principle in practice. A broad range of topics essential to the treatment of offenders and survivors of sexual abuse are clearly explained in this book including:

• 18 factors to consider when working with survivors of sexual abuse
• behavioral effects of unresolved but consciously remembered sexual abuse and unidentified sexual trauma
• specialized interviewing techniques for survivors of sexual abuse
• specific treatment techniques for 4 different categories of sexual abuse--homosexual abuse (both seductive and assaultive), assaultive sexual abuse, incest, and long-term seductive sexual child abuse
• “self-confrontation” as a new therapy approach for survivors
• aftercare continuation and consistency
• therapist qualifications and cautions
  This book is an in-depth exploration of the topic, usually only touched on in college courses and graduate programs. It features treatment techniques that are not taught in schools or universities. Psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and counselors who are untrained in working with this specific group will benefit from these insightful discussions and specific case studies. The Merry-Go-Round of Sexual Abuse can easily be used as a complete training manual for practicing therapists as well as interns, trainees, and graduate students in the field of sexual abuse. In addition, police investigators, parents of either victims or abusers, significant others of survivors, survivors themselves, and the public in general will benefit from the understanding Prendergast offers on the problem of sexual abuse.