NCJ Number
45066
Journal
WOMAN'S DAY Volume: 41 Issue: 7 Dated: (MARCH 1, 1978) Pages: 52,128,182,184
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
QUESTIONS RAISED BY A MOTHER WHO HAS DISCOVERED AN INCESTUOUS RELATIONSHIP IN HER FAMILY ARE ANSWERED, AND ADVICE ON HANDLING THE PROBLEM IS OFFERED.
Abstract
THE NATIONAL CENTER ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT ESTIMATES THAT OF THE MORE THAN 1 MILLION CASES OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT REPORTED IN 1975, ABOUT 12 PERCENT INVOLVED SEXUAL ABUSE. THESE ARE REPORTED CASES ONLY. PEOPLE ARE NOW MORE WILLING TO TALK ABOUT THE PROBLEM. UNLIKE RAPE, SEDUCTION OF A CHILD BY A LOVED PARENT IS COMPLEX; IT IS APT TO BE A SLOW PROCESS, AND THE SEXUAL ABUSE MAY CONTINUE FOR MONTHS OR EVEN YEARS. MANY TIMES THE CHILD ALLOWS HERSELF TO BE FONDLED, NOT REALIZING FULLY WHAT IS HAPPENING. SOMETIMES THERE ARE THREATS OR BRIBERY. IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THE CHILD TO TELL HER MOTHER WHAT IS HAPPENING. SOME CHILDREN FEAR BEING THE AGENT OF THE FAMILY'S DESTRUCTION; OTHERS FEAR PUNISHMENT IF THEY TELL. THE CHILD HAS NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW HER MOTHER WILL REACT, OR WHETHER SHE WILL EVEN BELIEVE HER. AUTHORITIES SAY THAT IT IS VITAL THAT THE CHILD BE LISTENED TO AND TAKEN SERIOUSLY; IT IS UNLIKELY THAT SHE WOULD MAKE SUCH AN ACCUSATION WITHOUT FOUNDATION. IN MOST CASES, THE INCESTUOUS FATHER HAS A NORMAL SEX DRIVE. OFTEN HE IS A GOOD PROVIDER, HAS A RESPECTABLE OCCUPATION, AND IS WELL-EDUCATED. USUALLY HE HAS A VERY POOR IMAGE OF HIMSELF, AND THERE ARE FEW INCESTUOUS FAMILIES WHERE THERE WAS AN EQUAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PARENTS. PSYCHIATRISTS SAY THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR A FATHER TO FEEL SEXUAL IMPULSES TOWARD A NUBILE DAUGHTER, HOWEVER, IN A WORKING, FUNCTIONING FAMILY, HE WILL NOT ACT ON SUCH FEELINGS. THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS A MOTHER CAN DO TO PREVENT INCEST. SHE SHOULD WATCH FOR SUDDEN CHANGES IN HER CHILD'S BEHAVIOR, SUDDEN EXCLUSIVITY IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FATHER AND ONE CHILD, AND A SIGNIFICANT BREAKDOWN IN SEXUAL COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE. SHE SHOULD WARN HER CHILD THAT NO ADULT HAS A RIGHT TO TOUCH HER WITHOUT HER CONSENT, EVEN SOMEONE SHE KNOWS AND CARES ABOUT. PHYSICAL AFFECTION SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE FORCED ON A CHILD BY ANYONE; OTHERWISE, THE CHILD MAY LEARN THAT SHE 'SHOULD' SUBMIT TO UNWANTED CONTACT. THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT OF INCEST ON A CHILD VARIES; IT DEPENDS ON SUCH FACTORS AS HER AGE, THE PHYSICAL SEVERITY OF THE INCIDENTS, AND THE SUPPORT GIVEN BY HER MOTHER. REPORTING OF INCIDENTS TO THE AUTHORITIES COULD RESULT IN CRIMINAL ACTION AGAINST THE FATHER OR REMOVAL OF THE CHILD FROM THE HOME; HOWEVER, THE PURPOSE OF MOST NEW PROGRAMS IS COUNSELING FOR ALL FAMILY MEMBERS. IT IS THE ATTITUDE OF THE FAMILY AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO RECOVER THAT MOST AFFECTS THE OUTCOME. IT IS SAID THAT INCEST CAN GO ON ONLY IN SECRET; IT DOES NOT HAPPEN IN OPEN FAMILIES. A LIST OF AGENCIES WHICH OFFER HELP FOR FAMILIES WITH A PROBLEM OF INCEST IS PROVIDED.