Disguised Presentation of Adult Survivors of Incest and Other Child Molestation (From Violence Hits Home: Comprehensive Treatment Approaches to Domestic Violence, P 244-262, 1990, Sandra M. Stith, Mary Beth Williams, et al., -- See NCJ-128537)

• NCJ Number: 128551
• Author(s): J F Fulmer
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 19 pages
• Sale Source: Springer Publishing Co
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Incest and other molestation often remains undisclosed even through long therapeutic treatment. There are both societal and intrapsychic reasons for this disguised presentation. The taboo against talking about incest or any sexual molestation has been almost inviolate until the past few years.

Abstract

Families where incest occurs tend to be closed and isolated as well as disorganized. Clients hide the events out of shame, because of total or partial amnesia, or because they believe that disclosure will destroy the perpetrator or family. Victims develop coping strategies such as dissociation to protect their sense of well-being and personal integrity. Survivors have different lifestyles and symptoms and cannot be stereotyped. Behaviors that can alert the professional to explore the possibility of early sexual abuse include learned helplessness; repeated victimization, and chemical dependency in the family. The goal of treatment is to change the client's self-concept from that of victim to that of survivor and to teach the client to protect one's self, but not the perpetrator. 15 references