Role of the Nonoffending Parent When the Incest Victim Is Male (From The Sexually Abused Male: Application of Treatment Strategies, V 2, P 171-176, 1990, Mic Hunter, ed. -- See NCJ-128873)

• NCJ Number: 128881
• Author(s): A M Gresham
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: Lexington Books
• Publication Type: Training (Aid/Material)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter discusses the role of the nonoffending parent in the dynamics and treatment of incest involving a male victim.

Abstract

In most incest cases, the nonoffending parent was physically and/or sexually abused as a child, leading to feelings of helplessness, worthlessness, inadequacy, emotional deprivation, and isolation. When the offending spouse does not meet the emotional needs of the nonoffending spouse, the nonoffending spouse may withdraw emotionally from the relationship out of anger, thus precipitating the offending spouse's dependence on the children for attention and sexual satisfaction. In treating an incest victim, the therapist should focus on the victim's feelings toward the nonoffending parent, since victims often have more anger toward the nonoffending parent for not protecting them than toward the offender. Also, bonding with and support from the nonoffending parent can aid victim recovery. When such support is lacking, treatment is more difficult and lengthy. Research is needed to identify any role differences between the nonoffending parent for male incest victims and female victims. Due to the absence of such research, this chapter treats the role of the nonoffending parent as similar for both male and female incest victims. 20 references