DIVIDED LOYALTY IN INCEST CASES (FROM SEXUAL ASSAULT OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS, 1978 BY A W BURGESS, A N GROTH, L L HOLMSTROM, AND S M SGROI - SEE NCJ-45153)

• NCJ Number: 45160
• Author(s): A W BURGESS; L L HOLMSTORM; M P MCCAUSLAND
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 12 pages
• Corporate Author: Lexington Books
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

CASE STUDIES ARE CITED IN A DISCUSSION OF THE SOCIAL PRESSURES AND PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS INVOLVED FOR FAMILIES IN DECIDING WHERE TO PLACE THEIR LOYALTY WHEN INCEST OCCURS.

Abstract

THE KNOWLEDGE THAT A CHILD OR ADOLESCENT HAS BEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY A FAMILY MEMBER USUALLY IS AN UPSETTING EVENT FOR A FAMILY. THE DECISION TO REPORT THE EVENT TO AN OUTSIDE AUTHORITY MAY DEPEND ON SUCH VARIABLES AS THE FAMILY RELATIONSHIP OF THE PERPETRATOR AND THE CHILD, THE AMOUNT OF PHYSICAL TRAUMA THAT RESULTED, THE AGES OF THOSE INVOLVED, AND THE FAMILY AND/OR COMMUNITY VIEW OF SEXUAL ACTIVITY BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS. TWO CLINICAL CASES ILLUSTRATE: (1) A FAMILY'S REACTION TO THE DISCLOSURE OF AN INCEST SITUATION AND THE DIVIDED LOYALTY ISSUE; AND (2) THE RESULT OF THE DIVIDED LOYALTY ISSUE IN AN INCEST SITUATION THAT WAS UNRESOLVED FOR 20 YEARS. IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE TWO CASES INCLUDE THE FAMILY STRUCTURE (THE NUCLEAR FAMILY), THE TYPE OF VICTIMIZATION (PRESSURED SEX AND SECRECY), THE RELATIONSHIP OF VICTIM AND OFFENDER (FATHER-DAUGHTER), AND THE AGES OF THE VICTIM AND OFFENDER. THE COUNSELING APPROACH TAKEN IN THE FIRST CASE IS DESCRIBED.