Clinical Management of Father-Daughter Incest

Abstract

The professional literature relevant to child incest cases is reviewed. Four questions related to clinical management are examined. Although physical separation of the offending parent and child is typically recommended, there is insufficient evidence to support the belief that an incestuous relationship per se is inevitably harmful to the mental health of the child. It is suggested that exclusive focus on the sexual relationship can sometimes prevent the clinician from providing maximum assistance to the child and family. A representative case history is discussed.

Child Sexual Abuse: A Cybernetic Description and its Implications for Professionals

“…It is usually kept secret and sometimes affected families are isolated from community resources (Slager-Jones, 1978;Scherzer and Lala, 1980;Taubman, 1984). Those keeping the secret may be those directly involved in the abuse, and may sometimes include other members of the family who know about the abuse but participate in the problem by keeping the secret (Swanson and Biaggio 1985;Weitzel, Powell and Penick, 1978). In those situations where other members of a family do know that abuse is occurring and do not disclose, there are usually compelling reasons for this like fear of the consequences of disclosure.…”

Child Sexual Abuse: A Cybernetic Description and its Implications for Professionals

“…It is usually kept secret and sometimes affected families are isolated from community resources (Slager-Jones, 1978;Scherzer and Lala, 1980;Taubman, 1984). Those keeping the secret may be those directly involved in the abuse, and may sometimes include other members of the family who know about the abuse but participate in the problem by keeping the secret (Swanson and Biaggio 1985;Weitzel, Powell and Penick, 1978). In those situations where other members of a family do know that abuse is occurring and do not disclose, there are usually compelling reasons for this like fear of the consequences of disclosure.…”

Counseling Adult Women Who Experienced Incest in Childhood or Adolescence

“…The research of , Courtois (1979), andFinklehor (1978) offers evidence that cause and effect or correlation of variables and effect cannot clearly be demonstrated at this time. They and others (Weitzel, Powell, & Penick, 1978) are of the belief that all aspects of the incest experience, taken alone and together, along with the individual's personality, and other life experiences influence how she will respond. The implication for counselors is that they should avoid stereotyping the woman and her possible responses based on her experience, but rather should individually assess, diagnose, and counsel each.…”

“…Treatment should be based on the issues raised by the nature of the experience and on the victims' unique response pattern Courtois, 1979;Finklehor, 1979;Weitzel et al, 1978).…”

Child Sexual Abuse: A Cybernetic Description and its Implications for Professionals

“…It is usually kept secret and sometimes affected families are isolated from community resources (Slager-Jones, 1978;Scherzer and Lala, 1980;Taubman, 1984). Those keeping the secret may be those directly involved in the abuse, and may sometimes include other members of the family who know about the abuse but participate in the problem by keeping the secret (Swanson and Biaggio 1985;Weitzel, Powell and Penick, 1978). In those situations where other members of a family do know that abuse is occurring and do not disclose, there are usually compelling reasons for this like fear of the consequences of disclosure.…”

Counseling Adult Women Who Experienced Incest in Childhood or Adolescence

“…The research of , Courtois (1979), andFinklehor (1978) offers evidence that cause and effect or correlation of variables and effect cannot clearly be demonstrated at this time. They and others (Weitzel, Powell, & Penick, 1978) are of the belief that all aspects of the incest experience, taken alone and together, along with the individual's personality, and other life experiences influence how she will respond. The implication for counselors is that they should avoid stereotyping the woman and her possible responses based on her experience, but rather should individually assess, diagnose, and counsel each.…”

“…Treatment should be based on the issues raised by the nature of the experience and on the victims' unique response pattern Courtois, 1979;Finklehor, 1979;Weitzel et al, 1978).…”

Child Sexual Abuse: A Cybernetic Description and its Implications for Professionals

“…It is usually kept secret and sometimes affected families are isolated from community resources (Slager-Jones, 1978;Scherzer and Lala, 1980;Taubman, 1984). Those keeping the secret may be those directly involved in the abuse, and may sometimes include other members of the family who know about the abuse but participate in the problem by keeping the secret (Swanson and Biaggio 1985;Weitzel, Powell and Penick, 1978). In those situations where other members of a family do know that abuse is occurring and do not disclose, there are usually compelling reasons for this like fear of the consequences of disclosure.…”

Counseling Adult Women Who Experienced Incest in Childhood or Adolescence

“…The research of , Courtois (1979), andFinklehor (1978) offers evidence that cause and effect or correlation of variables and effect cannot clearly be demonstrated at this time. They and others (Weitzel, Powell, & Penick, 1978) are of the belief that all aspects of the incest experience, taken alone and together, along with the individual's personality, and other life experiences influence how she will respond. The implication for counselors is that they should avoid stereotyping the woman and her possible responses based on her experience, but rather should individually assess, diagnose, and counsel each.…”

“…Treatment should be based on the issues raised by the nature of the experience and on the victims' unique response pattern Courtois, 1979;Finklehor, 1979;Weitzel et al, 1978).…”