NCJ Number
43146
Journal
Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: (SPRING 1977) Pages: 327-339
Date Published
1977
Length
13 pages
Annotation
AN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO SEPARATE THE PSYCHIATRIC AND LEGAL ASPECTS OF INCEST AND TO EXAMINE LONG TERM EFFECTS ON THE CHILD. THE NEED FOR CAREFUL, CONTROLLED STUDIES USING A BROAD POPULATION BASE IS EMPHASIZED.
Abstract
BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF SEXUAL ABUSE, IT SELDOM COMES TO THE ATTENTION OF THE COURT UNLESS IT IS COMBINED WITH SOME OTHER PATHOLOGY. CERTAIN FAMILIES SEEM PREDISPOSED TO INCESTUAL ACTS. USUALLY THESE FAMILIES ARE DISORGANIZED OR HAVE EXTREMELY LAX SEXUAL STANDARDS. THE INCEST ACT MAY RANGE ALL THE WAY FROM FONDLING TO INTERCOURSE. IN MANY INSTANCES THE ACT IS NOT SEEN AS INCESTUOUS AT ALL BY EITHER THE ADULT OR THE CHILD. IN SUCH CASES, THE ADULT IS MERELY REPEATING FONDLING BEHAVIOR WHICH HE/SHE FOUND COMFORTING AS A CHILD. THE DEGREE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DAMAGE SEEMS RELATED TO THE TYPE OF EXPERIENCE, THE TYPE OF ADULT ENCOUNTERED, AND THE FAMILY'S PERCEPTION OF THE EXPERIENCE. OFTEN GUILT DOES NOT APPEAR UNTIL PUBERTY. CLINICAL EVIDENCE TO DATE HAS BEEN BASED ALMOST ENTIRELY UPON THOSE WHO HAVE LATER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE LAW OR IN SCHOOL, OR UPON THOSE AT A PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC PRESENTING SYMPTOMS OF FRIGIDITY, PROMISCUITY, OR DEPRESSION. THESE CASES INDICATE THAT THE SEXUAL EXPERIENCE IS BURIED FOR MANY YEARS AND IS NOT RECOGNIZED AS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR BY THE PATIENT. CASES OF CHILDREN DEMONSTRATING UNDESIRABLE AFTER EFFECTS OF AN INCESTUOUS EXPERIENCE USUALLY SHOW THAT THE ENTIRE FAMILY NEEDS TO BE TREATED. UNDER LAW THE CHILD IS ALWAYS SEEN AS THE ABUSED PARTY WHILE ONE ADULT IS SINGLED OUT AS THE ABUSER. IN MOST CASES THE INTERACTION IS FAR MORE COMPLEX. BROAD-BASED STUDIES ARE NEEDED BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE MORE COMMON THAN PREVIOUSLY SUSPECTED.