Unspoken: Child–Perpetrator Dynamic in the Context of Intrafamilial Child Sexual Abuse

Abstract

The literature on child sexual abuse (CSA) has contributed greatly to the understanding of child–perpetrator dynamic while mainly addressing the concepts of grooming and manipulation. Considerably less attention has been dedicated, however, to child–perpetrator dynamic in intrafamilial child sexual abuse (IFCSA). The current study examined how children perceive and experience the dynamic with their perpetrator parents in the context of IFCSA, as conveyed by victims. Analysis of 29 forensic interviews with children aged 8 to 14 years suggested above all, across all identified themes, the unspoken nature of IFCSA. Specifically, the children shared their surprise at the abusive incidents despite having described a long and unspoken grooming process. The children shared their understanding of the secretive nature of IFCSA although that too was unspoken, while illustrating the fear and terror in the family dynamic. Finally, the children discussed the elusiveness of the dynamic in terms of the natural and unnatural aspects of the relationship. The discussion addresses the unique nature of IFCSA and the family dynamic. The main implication for practice is the urgent need to modify existing instruction and training programs for practitioners to better adjust them to IFCSA survivors. More specifically, the elusive nature of IFCSA must be conveyed to both clinical and forensic practitioners who need to evaluate and intervene in with child survivors of IFCSA. In addition, the fear and terror that characterize the family dynamic and the unspoken, unbridled rule of the perpetrator fathers are of central importance in adapting interventions to children and their families in the context of IFCSA.

Justice Professionals’ Lens on Familial Trafficking Cases

“…Sometimes the child is reared in a family where abuse is generational and enculturated. The unique context of incestuous abuse is that it is embedded in the normal family lives of child victims; it is deeply grounded in a normal, daily context (Katz & Field, 2020). As one survey respondent noted, there is a resistance for the victim to talk to police.…”

“…“We don’t have access to the child without them being [continually] psychologically adulterated by the adult in the home,” says one investigator. It is not just the perpetrating family member, but the entire family is infected by the familial system of abuse (Ford & Courtois, 2020; Katz & Field, 2020). From this sample, what can we learn about options available to justice professionals to align services with child victims?…”

“…In the Silbert and Pines (1983) study, 63% of the intrafamilial abuse victims never told anyone about their lives at home and the abuse they suffered. The emotional proximity between the victim and abuser and the high threat level make disclosure from the victim and detection by a third party more difficult (Katz & Field, 2020; Magalhães et al, 2009). James Stewart’s crimes against his daughter were only uncovered because a schoolteacher was observant and trained enough to ask questions.…”

“…Comparing the perception of threat in familial trafficking to that of incest, we consider that “no matter how miserable the daughter may be, she is likely to remain silent as along as she fears that a word from her will loose the full vengeance of the law upon her parent, her family, herself” (Herman, 2000, p. 163). As noted by Katz and Field (2020), “there is a world and a reality that the child shares only with his/her abuser, which is why s/he may feel their abuser is the only one who truly knows them” (p. 5). In a child’s economy, the risk of losing this primary relationship is more devastating than the abuse they must suffer to keep it (Herman, 2000).…”

Peritraumatic Pain in Child Sexual Abuse: Children’s Descriptions of Pain as Conveyed in Their Testimonies Following Child Sexual Abuse

“…The second dynamic was characterized by CSA that was carried by family members, in which before, during and after the abuse, the perpetrators dedicated efforts to reduce or prevent pain and to enforcing abuse relational dynamic. This dynamic being led by the perpetrators who are family members, was elaborated recently (Katz & Field, 2022) in a study which highlights that perpetrators who are family members make intensive efforts in order to maintain a considerably good relationship with the children, avoiding violence in order to secure their continuous access to the children as well as preventing any disclosure.…”