This book first argues that within British society, the sexual abuse of and violence against women and children (less frequently men) by men is widespread and frequent. Second, policies that purport to protect women and children from such sexual abuse are not effective, primarily because of the discriminatory ways in which they are implemented. Examples cited include the ways in which rape and sexual assault victims have been assumed to have contributed to their victimization in some way, as well as the apparent bias of police in attempting to "disprove" victims' allegations of sexual violence. The third argument of the book is that the ways in which male sex offenders against women and/or children are addressed by criminal and civil justice institutions, as well as private organizations, are inadequate, problematic, and of little help to victims. Further, the book develops arguments to show that the failed efforts to protect women and children from sexual abuse have been accompanied by expanded efforts to control sexual behavior under a climate of moral authoritarianism which fears that sexual behavior outside of prescribed bounds poses a threat to the basic values of a moral and safe society. 169-item bibliography