NCJ Number
126968
Date Published
1990
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This paper describes a new theoretical model for the treatment of adult survivors of incest as well as group design and process for implementing the model.
Abstract
The classical view of the dynamics of sexual abuse is linear, i.e., there is a perpetrator and a victim. This perspective is enhanced by the traditional feminist view of incest as involving a helpless, innocent female victimized by a sick and totally culpable male. This paper proposes that this linear/feminist view of incest be complemented by a systems view that conceptualizes incest as a familial system-maintaining symptom in a matrix of dysfunctional relational patterns. Under such a theoretical framework, each family member plays a part in the victimization. It is important that treatment help the adult survivor of incest reapportion responsibility for what happened among the three central figures involved (father, mother, daughter). This is crucial for a healthy therapeutic outcome. The group therapy used and recommended by the author for adult survivors of incest involves 2-hour sessions once a week with a maximum number of five clients. Group members determine the format for the group process, which is guided by one therapist, according to members' developmental needs. Overall, the group process is designed to help each member, within the milieu of group support and acceptance, express feelings and thoughts and reformulate her experiences to produce more satisfying behaviors, attitudes, and feelings. Case histories and evaluation results are reported. 6 references and 17-item bibliography