HUMANISTIC TREATMENT OF FATHER-DAUGHTER INCEST

• NCJ Number: 61206
• Journal: JOURNAL FOR HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: (FALL 1978) Pages: 59-76
• Author(s): H GIARRETTO
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 18 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: ARTICLE IS UPDATED AND MODIFIED VERSION OF ONE THAT APPEARED IN 'CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT - THE FAMILY AND THE COMMUNITY', R E HELFER AND C H KEMP, EDITORS, CAMBRIDGE, MASS - BALLINGER PUBLISHING CO, 1976

Annotation

FAMILY TREATMENT USING THE PRINCIPLES OF 'HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY' IS DESCRIBED FOR CASES INVOLVING FATHER-DAUGHTER INCEST.

Abstract

CURRENT ATTITUDES AND LAWS REGARDING INCEST ARE MYTH RIDDEN AND INEFFECTIVE. THE IMPACT OF THE INTERVENTION OF CIVIL AUTHORITIES ON INCESTUOUS FAMILIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN WHICH THE FATHER IS THE OFFENDER, USUALLY RESULTS IN EITHER THE REJECTION OF THE VICTIM'S STORY OR BREAKUP OF THE FAMILY. WHAT IS NEEDED IS A COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL, AGENCIES AND PROFESSIONALS THAT CAN PROVIDE NEEDED SOCIAL SERVICES TO INCESTUOUS FAMILIES. THE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAM (CSATP) OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. PROVIDES SERVICES TO INCESTUOUS FAMILIES BASED UPON THE PRINCIPLES OF 'HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY.' THE CSATP APPROACH BELIEVES THAT PRODUCTIVE CASE-MANAGEMENT OF THE MOLESTED CHILD AND HER FAMILY CALL FOR PROCEDURES THAT ALLEVIATE THE EMOTIONAL STRESSES OF THE EXPERIENCE ITSELF, AS WELL AS POSSIBLE PUNITIVE ACTION BY THE COMMUNITY, ENHANCE THE PROCESSES OF SELF-AWARENESS AND SELF-MANAGEMENT, PROMOTE FAMILY UNITY AND GROWTH, AND ENGENDER A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO SOCIETY. THE TREATMENT PROCEDURE IS NORMALLY APPLIED IN THIS ORDER: (1) INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, PARTICULARLY FOR THE CHILD AND MOTHER AND LATER FOR THE FATHER; (2) MOTHER-DAUGHTER COUNSELING; (3) MARITAL COUNSELING, WHICH BECOMES A KEY TREATMENT IF THE FAMILY WISHES TO BE REUNITED; (4) FATHER-DAUGHTER COUNSELING; (5) FAMILY COUNSELING; AND (6) GROUP COUNSELING. THE TYPICAL STRATEGY IS TO RECONCILE THE DAUGHTER AND MOTHER AND REBUILD THE FAMILY AROUND THIS CORE. NO RECIDIVISM HAS BEEN REPORTED IN THE MORE THAN 500 FAMILIES THAT HAVE RECEIVED A MINIMUM OF 10 HOURS OF TREATMENT AND BEEN FORMALLY TERMINATED. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)