NCJ Number
55712
Date Published
1978
Length
220 pages
Annotation
THROUGH PERSONAL INTERVIEWS WITH VICTIMS, AGGRESSORS, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, THE ETIOLOGY AND CONSEQUENCES OF INCEST ARE DISCUSSED AND SUGGESTIONS FOR DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM OFFERED.
Abstract
IN THIS STUDY, 'INCESTUOUS ASSAULT' REFERS TO 'ANY MANUAL ORAL, OR GENITAL SEXUAL CONTACT OR OTHER EXPLICIT SEXUAL BEHAVIOR THAT AN ADULT FAMILY MEMBER IMPOSES ON A CHILD, WHO IS UNABLE TO ALTER OR UNDERSTAND THE ADULT'S BEHAVIOR BECAUSE OF HIS OR HER POWERLESSNESS IN THE FAMILY AND EARLY STAGE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT.' ALTHOUGH THE AGGRESSORS ARE MOST OFTEN THE VICTIMS' FATHERS, GRANDFATHERS, OR UNCLES, THEY ARE ALWAYS ADULTS WHOM THE VICTIMS HAD REASON TO TRUST IN A NORMALLY LOVING AND INTIMATE CONTEXT. ALTHOUGH THE STATISTICS ON THE EXTENT OF INCESTUOUS ASSAULT ARE INCOMPLETE, CONFUSING, AND OFTEN CONTRADICTORY, THEY POINT TO A PROBLEM OF ENORMOUS DIMENSIONS AND SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS. THE DYNAMICS OF LONG-TERM VICTIM REACTIONS TO ASSAULT ARE DISCUSSED THROUGH QUOTED INTERVIEWS WITH VICTIMS. MOST OFTEN THE RELATIONSHIP, USUALLY FATHER-DAUGHTER, BUILDS UP THE NORMAL DESIRE OF THE CHILD FOR CLOSENESS WITH THE PARENT, BUT THE SEXUAL DIMENSIONS OF IT EVENTUALLY STIMULATE SHAME, GUILT, AND HOSTILITY AS INTERACTION WITH SOCIETY AND ACCEPTED CULTURAL STANDARDS REVEALS THE STRONG TABOO AGAINST WHAT HAS HAPPENED. THE PROFILE OF THE AGGRESSOR, OBTAINED THROUGH INTERVIEWS WITH ABUSERS AND WITH THOSE WHO HAVE COUNSELED IN INCEST CASES, REVEAL NO DISTINCTIVE SOCIOECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS BUT SHOWS EARLY CHILDHOOD EMOTIONAL DEPRIVATION, AN INABILITY TO ACHIEVE SOCIAL AND SEXUAL INTIMACY WITH ADULTS, A GENERAL LACK OF SUCCESS IN ACHIEVEMENT IN TRADITIONAL MASCULINE ROLES, AND A TENDENCY TO EXPECT FEMALES TO BE SUBMISSIVE AND COMPLIANT IN MEETING MALE NEEDS. AN EXAMINATION OF COUNSELING SERVICES GENERALLY AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS EXPECTED A LACK OF AWARENESS OF INCEST AS A PREVALENT PROBLEM AMONG TROUBLED JUVENILES, VERY LITTLE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM, AND FEW PROGRAMS EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH IT. THE IMPORTANCE OF SYMPATHATIC AND TACTFUL RESPONSE ON THE PART OF THE ADULT TO WHOM THE CHILD REPORTS THE INCEST IS EMPHASIZED; CHILDREN RARELY REPORT INCEST IF IT HAS NOT OCCURRED AND ARE MORE LIKELY TO LIE TO PROTECT THEIR FAMILY. THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN THE CALIFORNIA STATE PENAL CODE SECTIONS RELATING TO CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND THE MANDATORY CHILD-ABUSE REPORTING LAW FOR CALIFORNIA. A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (RCB)