STUDIES OF CHILD MOLESTATION USUALLY CHARACTERIZE THE WIFE/MOTHER IN THE HOME AS A PASSIVE, DEPENDENT, AND INADEQUATE FIGURE, OR AS AN ANGRY, DOMINANT, HOSTILE WOMAN WHO OFTEN HAS A DISLIKE OF HER WIFE/MOTHER ROLE. FOR BOTH THESE TYPES, DENIAL AND REPRESSION REPRESENT THE MAJOR DEFENSE MECHANISMS. MOST OF THESE WOMEN ARE AWARE THAT THE CHILD IS BEING MOLESTED AND YET FAIL TO PROTECT HER. IN SOME CASES RIVALRY AND HOSTILITY IS SO INTENSE BETWEEN THE WOMAN AND THE CHILD AS TO BLOCK ALL COMMUNICATION. OFTEN THE WIFE OR MOTHER MAY TACITLY APPROVE THE INCEST IN THE HOPES OF HAVING THE CHILD REMOVED FROM THE HOME. MOST CASE HISTORIES REVIEWED PLACED PRIMARY EMPHASIS ON THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF ADJUDICATION AND PROTECTING THE VICTIM. USUALLY VERY LITTLE BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE PARENTS AND THE DYNAMICS OF THE FAMILY WAS GATHERED. WHEN THE MALE IS LEGALLY CHARGED, THE PREVALENT PROCEDURE IS TO INCARCERATE HIM AND RETURN THE VICTIM TO THE MOTHER. IF THE MOTHER PROMISES TO BAR THE MOLESTER FROM THE HOME THE VICTIM WILL OFTEN NOT BE TAKEN INTO PROTECTIVE CUSTODY. WHEN THE MOLESTER REMAINS IN THE HOUSE, THE VICTIM IS PLACED IN A FOSTER HOME OR, FREQUENTLY, WITH THE MATERNAL GRANDPARENTS OR OTHER RELATIVES. WHEN THE MOLESTER IS THE NATURAL FATHER HE IS USUALLY BARRED FROM VISITING THE HOME EVEN WHEN THERE ARE OTHER CHILDREN. NO COURT ORDERS WERE FOUND WHICH RECOMMENDED THERAPY FOR THE WIFE/MOTHER, ALTHOUGH MANY HUSBANDS/FATHERS WERE REQUIRED TO SEEK TREATMENT AS A CONDITION OF PROBATION. IN ALL CASES IN WHICH THE MOLESTER WAS BARRED FROM THE HOME OR THE VICTIM WAS PLACED OUT OF THE HOME, THE HUSBAND/WIFE RELATIONSHIP CONTINUED TO EXIST AND DOMINATE THE FAMILY STRUCTURE. FINDINGS SUGGEST THAT INADEQUATE INFORMATION AND A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF FAMILY DYNAMICS RESULT IN INCONSISTENCIES IN THE HANDLING AND DISPOSITION OF INCEST CASES AND THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS FAILING TO PROTECT THE VICTIM. IN VIEW OF THIS, FAMILY THERAPY WOULD APPEAR TO BE THE TREATMENT MODALITY OF CHOICE. SUCH SERVICES, INITIATED BY THE JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT, COULD AID THE VICTIM, THE FAMILY, AND THE PROBATION STAFF. A LISTING OF ISSUES AND CONCERNS PERTAINING TO THE MOLEST VICTIM, THE MOTHER/WIFE, AND THE FATHER/HUSBAND IS PRESENTED AS A GUIDE TO PROBATION INFORMATION-GATHERING THAT CAN PROVIDE A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF FAMILY DYNAMICS, PARENTAL BACKGROUND, AND VICTIM NEEDS. (JAP)