The typical characteristic of endogamic incestuous fathers is their inability to meet their needs for closeness, attention, and affection through daily nonphysical, nonsexual human contact. In their family role, they seek control of the lives of family members by whatever means they believe are effective -- threats intimidation, psychological or material bribes, or seduction. The mothers in incestuous families are typically weak and submissive, indifferent, or promiscuous, and their family role is generally one of withdrawal from responsibilities and close interaction with other family members. In most cases, the incestuous daughter is the eldest in the family and has assumed the family role usually ascribed to the mother. The other siblings in the family experience parental neglect and intense rivalry with the incestuous daughter. For the victim in later life, sexual situations arouse unresolved conflicts connected to the trauma of incest. The victims may experience frigidity or exhibit promiscuity and confusion about sexual orientation. Feelings for a sexual partner are typically shallow, and her understanding of the relationship is limited. Inevitably, many experience marital instability or finally reject marriage and heterosexual relationships as a lifestyle. Therapeutic work with child incest victims should involve both parents in treatment which focuses on breaking the denial of the incest rather than the sexual activities themselves. This forces the daughter to relinquish her power over her father and permits her to express openly her need for her mother's nurturance. Therapy for the adult child incest victim should focus on the client's perception of the role that the childhood trauma plays in her current life. Some pitfalls of such therapy are identified, and 32 footnotes are provided.