This book weaves together an understanding of how religion, law, and medicine intersect to control what Americans do sexually. Contrary to popular belief, sex crimes are not just violent attacks by strangers against women and children; they also include consensual activity, such as paying a sex worker, and teens having intercourse. The result has been widespread support of legislation to severely restrict the movement and activities of sexual offenders. The unintended consequence is that legislation has been applied to members of communities who are engaged in minor violations of the law. In order to make society safe from sexual violence, there is a critical need to examine the issue objectively. The book is divided into three parts: historical perspectives on sexual offending, the crime and the criminals, and learning alternatives. Part one encompasses the history of sexual offending and sex crimes laws. Part two focuses on the types of sex crimes that exist today and the people who commit these offenses. Part three examines what Americans can learn about sexual offending from external sources. References and index