NCJ Number
125425
Date Published
1990
Length
326 pages
Annotation
This book for incest survivors (both those who remember the victimization and those who do not) focuses on the dynamics of the after effects of incest and provides an overview of recovery issues.
Abstract
The book first introduces a broadened definition of incest, which includes sexual abuse perpetrated by any caregiver, including teachers, doctors, neighbors, and other nonrelatives. After discussing incest research, the book explores the basic themes of incest: powerlessness, boundary violation, and the secret. A discussion of the tactics commonly used by incest victims to protect themselves from the painful reality of the incest focuses on amnesia, blocking, splitting (depersonalization), shutdown, and other tactics. Subsequent chapters address particular clusters of after effects: the ways in which memories enter the survivor's consciousness, the psychological after effects, addictions and compulsions, self-destructiveness, bodily and sexual effects, and interpersonal issues. A chapter on recovery reviews types of therapeutic help; techniques for unblocking memories; and special approaches, such as incest workshops, anger workshops, and empowerment without therapy. Other recovery issues discussed include what to do about the perpetrator, family bonds, confronting perpetrators, forgiveness, and lawsuits against perpetrators. Resource listings, 14-item bibliography, subject index.