U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

CAN FAMILIES SURVIVE INCEST?

NCJ Number
66616
Journal
Corrections Magazine Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL 1980) Pages: 31-38
Author(s)
E KIERSH
Date Published
1980
Length
8 pages
Annotation
ALTERNATIVES ARE DISCUSSED FOR PREVENTING THE COMMITMENT OF INCESTUOUS FATHERS TO MENTAL HOSPITALS AND PRISONS BY PROVIDING THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY AND KEEPING THE FAMILY UNIT INTACT.
Abstract
BECAUSE INCEST IS THE ULTIMATE TABOO, SOCIETY RESPONDS HARSHLY TO THIS TRANSGRESSION. THE PERPETRATOR, MOST OFTEN THE FATHER, IS INSTITUTIONALIZED TO SATISFY POPULAR OUTRAGE, AND THIS FORM OF PUNISHMENT IS SUPPORTED BY JUDGES AND DISTRICT ATTORNEYS. SOCIAL WORKERS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS, HOWEVER, OPPOSE THE PRACTICE ON GROUNDS OF ITS DEVASTATING EFFECT ON THE FAMILY, WHOSE MEMBERS, BOTH THE GUILTY AND THE INNOCENT, SUFFER ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISRUPTION. MOREOVER, FEAR OF HEAVY LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OFTEN KEEPS INCEST A FAMILY SECRET, ALLOWING ABUSE AND VICTIMIZATION TO CONTINUE. THE NEW APPROACHES OFFER HELP TO BOTH VICTIMS AND PERPETRATORS BY FORCING FAMILY MEMBERS TO CONFRONT THEIR PROBLEMS WITH THEMSELVES AND EACH OTHER IN THE HOPE OF EMERGING FROM THERAPY TO A RESTORED, HEALTHY FAMILY LIFE. IN ADDITION, SUCH PROGRAMS FORCE THE COMMUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THAT INCEST IS A PROBLEM THAT MUST BE DEALT WITH. FUNDED BY STATE GRANTS, THE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAM (CSATP), THE FIRST AND MOST SUCCESSFUL FAMILY COUNSELING SERVICE, OPERATES IN SAN JOSE, CALIF. LEGAL INVOLVEMENT OF THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT ENSURES COMPLIANCE WITH COURT-ORDERED THERAPY. THE CSATP FAMILY COUNSELING IS AUGMENTED BY PARENTS UNITED, A SELF-HELP GROUP MODELED ON ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WHICH ENCOURAGES VOLUNTARY ADMISSION OF GUILT. CRITICISMS OF THE PROGRAM CITE REMOLESTATION CASES, BUT TWO EVALUATION REPORTS HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THE CSATP FAMILY THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF INTRAFAMILIAR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IS POSITIVE AND CONCLUSIVE. ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED.