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CHILD VICTIMS OF INCEST

NCJ Number
50103
Author(s)
Y M TORMES
Date Published
Unknown
Length
40 pages
Annotation
THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING FATHER-DAUGHTER INCEST ARE EXAMINED TO DETERMINE WHAT PREDISPOSING FACTORS CAN BE DIAGNOSED AND TREATED AT AN EARLY STAGE TO PREVENT THEIR DEVELOPMENT INTO A CLIMATE RECEPTIVE TO INCEST.
Abstract
THIS SUBSTUDY IS PART OF A LARGER PROJECT TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM OF SEX VICTIMIZATION OF CHILDREN BY ADULTS. THE DATA CAME FROM THE CLOSED RECORDS OF FAMILIES SERVED BY THE BROOKLYN (NEW YORK) SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN, A PRIVATE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY WITH QUASI-LEGAL FUNCTIONS WHICH THE COURT HAS EMPOWERED TO HANDLE CASES OF PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL CHILD ABUSE. THE INTENSIVE STUDY OF 20 FATHER-DAUGHTER INCEST CASES FOUND THAT THE INCESTUOUS ACT IS RARELY A SINGLE OCCURRENCE. BEFORE THE BEHAVIOR IS DISCOVERED IT HAS BECOME, IN THE MAJORITY OF CASES, A PERMANENT PART OF THE FAMILY STRUCTURE. THIS IS CONTRASTED WITH THE RAPE CASES STUDIED, WHICH WERE NEARLY ALL ISOLATED EVENTS. IN ALL THE INCEST CASES THE MOTHER WAS EITHER UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO CONTROL THE FATHER'S BEHAVIOR. THE SOCIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL REASONS FOR THIS ARE EXPLORED, AND CONTRASTED WITH THE EMOTIONAL CLIMATE SURROUNDING THE RAPE OF A CHILD. ETHNIC DIFFERENCES WHICH AFFECT THE MOTHER'S RESPONSE ARE ALSO EXAMINED. A MAJOR FINDING IS THAT THE INCEST VICTIM USUALLY DOES NOT GO TO CHURCH NOR DOES SHE HAVE MANY FRIENDS OUTSIDE THE FAMILY. MOST OF THE GIRLS HAD PASSIVE PERSONALITIES AND WERE AFRAID OF THEIR FATHERS. THE OUTSIDE APPEARANCE OF STABILITY MAINTAINED BY THE FAMILY WAS FOUND TO BE A FACADE COVERING UP A NUMBER OF OTHER SEVERE PROBLEMS. CHRONIC BRUTALITY AND ALCOHOLISM WERE FREQUENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH INCEST. THE CASE OF THE CONTRASTING, OVERLY AFFECTIONATE FATHER IS ALSO EXAMINED. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT SINCE THE PERSONALITY OF THE FATHER DOMINATES THE INCESTUOUS HOUSEHOLD, TREATMENT SHOULD CENTER ON HIM. A LIST OF NINE WARNING SIGNALS ARE GIVEN TO HELP SOCIAL WORKERS IDENTIFY FAMILIES IN WHICH THE 'INCEST CLIMATE' MIGHT APPEAR. THE PROBLEM OF PENETRATING FAMILY DEFENSES IS DISCUSSED. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE INCEST WILL BE REVEALED ONLY DURING FAMILY CRISIS OR WHEN SOME OTHER FAMILY PROBLEM IS BEING AIRED. TABLES COMPARE CHARACTERISTICS ISOLATED BY THE STUDY. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED. (GLR)