The first chapter reviews the current knowledge about sex offenders and some of the theories that attempt to explain their behavior, its development, and maintenance. It provides a basis for the rest of the book. The second chapter puts in context the work that is described in the rest of the book. The local context of each reader's practice will have different strengths and constraints. A chapter on the assessment of sex offenders has three sections that reflect the usual sequence of assessment. The first section addresses the overall purpose and characteristics of an effective assessment and the problems associated with offenders' self-reporting. The second section considers the planning and conduct of the initial interview, with particular emphasis on overcoming denial, and the purpose and structure of taking a detailed personal history. The final section describes the assessment of particular offender problems: cognitive distortions, victim empathy, sexual arousal and fantasy, and social skills and competence. Other chapters address the cognitive-behavioral treatment of sex offenders; group work with men who sexually abuse children; the management of sex offenders in institutions; research, assessment, and treatment of adolescent sexual abusers; conflicting role demands for mothers of sexually abused children; and occupational stress in working with sex offenders. 252-item bibliography and a subject index