NCJ Number
135941
Date Published
1984
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Through interviews with adult survivors of incest, this video presents their childhood experiences of incest and interaction with the abuser and other family members, the debilitating effects of this abuse into adulthood, and the importance of "breaking silence" as a means of mitigating the psychological damage done by incest.
Abstract
Most of the adult women survivors interviewed were sexually molested by their fathers; one woman was molested by a family friend. A male survivor was molested by siblings. Drawings by children known to be incest victims (not the adults interviewed) are featured throughout the video to show the effects of incest on children's perceptions and feelings. These drawings and the memories of the adult survivors show that incest produces feelings of being trapped, powerless, betrayal, fear, and isolation. Trust in parents and the safety of the home are destroyed. Statistics on the prevalence and the perpetrators of incest are reviewed; it is widespread across all types of families and individuals. Perpetrators are described by the victims as controlling and manipulative. One perpetrator comments on his own state of mind as that of low self-esteem and a sense of powerlessness with the people and events outside the home. Effects of incest into adulthood include inability to enjoy intimacy with another, psychosomatic effects, anger, depression, isolation, and suicidal urges. The healthful effects of breaking silence about the incest are discussed. Excerpts from a school program designed to help prevent child sexual abuse are included throughout the video.