NCJ Number
121334
Date Published
1990
Length
11 pages
Annotation
A series of studies on father-daughter incest has shown that this incest involves a gradual, deliberate, and predictable entanglement process and is not a sudden, initially traumatic occurrence.
Abstract
The research began in 1986 and drew on the research of de Young, Russell, Herman, and others. The analysis focused on the psychosocial process involved in father-daughter incest, referring to this process as the "grooming process." The studies supported the view that the perpetrators use trust, favoritism, alienation, secrecy, boundary violations, and evaluation in "grooming" their daughters to take part in sexual activities. The father plans and carries out this process of entanglement. In addition, when the incestuous relationships end, victims are left by their perpetrators to feel at least partially responsible for their own victimization and for other traumatic events that take place within and to the family. However, identifying the processes and phases of father-daughter incest makes it more likely that prevention and education can occur and that incest can be stopped. In addition, more informed interventions may enhance efforts to reduce the traumatic consequences of incest. 9 references.