FATHER-DAUGHTER INCEST - A CLINICAL VIEW FROM THE CORRECTIONS FIELD

• NCJ Number: 54247
• Journal: Child Welfare Volume: 57 Issue: 9 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1978) Pages: 581-590
• Author(s): J SPENCER
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: Welfare League of America (CWLA)
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

CHARACTERISTICS OF PARENTS HANDLED BY THE COURTS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN INCEST ARE DESCRIBED, AND PROCEDURES FOR EFFECTIVELY DEALING WITH THE DYNAMICS OF A CHILD'S FAMILY ARE CONSIDERED.

Abstract

THERE IS INCREASING EVIDENCE THAT THE NUMBER OF YOUNG FEMALE CHILDREN WHO ARE SEXUALLY MOLESTED IS LARGE. COURT STATISTICS DO NOT ADEQUATELY REFLECT THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: (1) THE FEMALE CHILD COMES TO THE ATTENTION OF THE COURT MAINLY FOR SUCH BEHAVIOR AS RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME, PROMISCUITY, AND DRUG ABUSE; (2) THE FEMALE CHILD DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THE ROOTS OF HER BEHAVIOR; AND (3) THE COURT DOES NOT ALWAYS UNDERSTAND THE DYNAMICS OF BEHAVIOR AND OFTEN FOCUSES ON THE CONTROL OF BEHAVIOR BECAUSE OF FRUSTRATION OVER THE COMPULSIVE AND REPETITIVE NATURE OF ANTISOCIAL SYMPTOMS (BLAMING THE VICTIM). MANY GIRLS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED EARLY SEXUAL TRAUMA EXHIBIT DYSFUNCTIONAL AND SELF-DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR. A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF FATHERS IN COURT CASES INVOLVING INCEST ARE FROM LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC CLASSES. HIGH CORRELATIONS BETWEEN INCEST AND THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS OF FATHERS HAVE BEEN OBSERVED: PARANOID PERSONALITY, RELIGIOUS FANATIC, ALCOHOLISM, AND MASCULINITY. CHARACTERISTICS DESCRIBING MOTHERS ARE RELINQUISHMENT OF THE MOTHER ROLE, PROBLEMS IN AFFECTIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHILDREN, AND DEPENDENCY ON THE HUSBAND OR HUSBAND-SURROGATE. FOUR ASPECTS OF TREATMENT FOR FEMALE VICTIMS OF INCEST ARE OFFERED: (1) THE VICTIM MUST BE CONVINCED THAT THE HELPING PERSON IS COMMITTED TO ENDING SEXUAL ABUSE; (2) THE VICTIM MUST BE BELIEVED, CARED ABOUT, AND SUPPORTED IN HER RIGHT TO STOP INCESTUOUS BEHAVIOR; (3) THE VICTIM MUST HAVE CONTINUED OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS HER FEELINGS OF ANGER, DISGUST, AND HURT TOWARD PARENTS; AND (4) THE VICTIM MUST HAVE CONTINUED OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS HER FEELINGS OF GUILT AND RESPONSIBILTY TO SOMEONE WHO SEES HER AS WORTHWHILE AND HELPS HER FEEL WORTHWHILE. DELAYS IN COURT HEARINGS AND THE TRIAL PROCESS FOR INCEST CASES ARE EXPLORED, AND THE NEED TO CHANGE LAWS SO THAT THEY ARE BASED ON AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE DYNAMICS INVOLVED IN INCESTUOUS BEHAVIOR IS EMPHASIZED. REFERENCES ARE CITED. (DEP)