Incest is sexual activity, ranging from fondling to intercourse, between family members who aren't married to one another. State laws vary regarding the type of sexual activity and also on what constitutes the type of kinship that indicates incest rather than just sexual abuse.
Some definitions include teachers, neighbors, step families, baby sitters, ministers/priests and others who are in the circle of influence of a child and have established an emotional bond. That is why it is so hard to get substantiated statistics, because referring to the same thing by different names and different things by the same name often creates confusion.
Incest has been cited as the most common form of child abuse and yet it is an extremely under-reported crime. This type of abuse and betrayal of trust has the most potential for psychological and emotional harm to children. Incest has been called a violation of the child where he or she lives by a person who has trust and authority over them. A child molested by a stranger can run home for help and comfort. A victim of incest cannot. Who commits incest?
Generally it is considered incest if the child has been used in a sexual manner by: fathers, or step-fathers, mothers, or step-mothers, brothers, sisters or cousins as well as members of their extended family such as grandparents, aunts and uncles.
? In cases of incest, is there just one child abused?
Sometimes the oldest child, or the girl, or one who is handicapped, or the one with long hair or it could be all of the children. There is no way to determine what the pattern of fantasy an offender has. If a grandfather is found to be abusing a ten year old granddaughter, it would be wise to err on the side of caution and protect all the children. He should be held accountable for his acts, whether it was one child or a multi-generational cycle of abuse.
Incest can happen in any family and can happen one time or be an on-going problem. People who were themselves victims of physical and sexual abuse may not know any other way to relate to their children. Boundaries are crossed and sacred trusts are broken. Sometimes there is confusion in family roles and if the parent is absent, either physically or emotionally, the child is forced into that role. Sometimes an adult will rationalize what they are doing is a "service" to the child to teach them about sex and prepare them for adulthood.
Whatever the reason or the excuse the offender uses, it is wrong! Adults are responsible for protecting, loving and nurturing children, not traumatizing and hurting them.
Incest becomes very confusing for the child involved. Many times the perpetrator really does love and value the child, but chooses an inappropriate way of expressing that love.
? Judy H. Wright, Parent Educator, www.artichokepress.com
This article was written by Judy Wright, parent educator and author. Feel free to use it in your newsletter or publication, but please give full credit to the author and mention the contact information of JudyWright@ArtichokePress.com, 406-549-9813.
You will find a full listing of books, tapes, newsletters and workshops available on finding the heart of the story in the journey of life by going to www.artichokepress.com
How should one look upon Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)... Read More
Children are moral and make moral determinations... at least until... Read More
My daughters and I went to the beach several weeks... Read More
You're trying to catch up on some sleep on a... Read More
Perhaps I could make a lot of money by founding... Read More
Incest is sexual activity, ranging from fondling to intercourse, between... Read More
What a dreamer I am when thinking about parenthood. Most... Read More
I thought I was the only one in the world... Read More
Have you heard the song; "I Hope You Dance"? It... Read More
Home-schooling removes children from public school. That alone makes home-schooling... Read More
Paula's last child had just gone off to college and... Read More
Our children are growing up bilingual in the French part... Read More
All of us, including your child, entered this world equipped... Read More
As a step daughter and step grand daughter, I followed... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of May 31,... Read More
Today's dads are more hands-on than ever before and their... Read More
A friend phoned her neighbor, complaining about the wafts of... Read More
We all want to comfort our children after they suffer... Read More
Not all parents subscribe to the notion of "tough love,"... Read More
Most people with children want to be good parents. The... Read More
What do you mean average? Not good? Just doing good... Read More
Teens can freely access the Internet from computers at school,... Read More
What is Happening in the brain of children, teens, and... Read More
An address given by Rev. David B. Smith... Read More
Depending on where you live school will be starting this... Read More
Everyone loves penguins. And now, everyone has a chance to... Read More
Research published by University of Rochester neuroscientists C. Shawn Green... Read More
Q. With the school year just beginning, what can we... Read More
Along with eating healthier we need to be more active.... Read More
Once, as a Learning Support Teacher, I made my way... Read More
Just the other day, I was talking to some other... Read More
The citizens of the early Roman Republic enjoyed an education... Read More
Do you want your child to cooperate with you more?Children... Read More
"I don't know and I don't care."I've heard those words... Read More
Hey Parents! I hate to tell you, but there is... Read More
An estimated five million scooters will be sold this year... Read More
Child Party Planning Guideline #1)Pick the ThemeYour child is going... Read More
I wanted to share with you one of the most... Read More
Some children practically potty train themselves, while others struggle and... Read More
Although nothing anybody says can ever completely prepare a woman... Read More
What one word best sums up summer fun? Water. I... Read More
There are many things to like about the television show... Read More
Ever blown your top to your children, only to regret... Read More
On a recent Saturday evening, I noticed a young teen-age... Read More
Home-schooling provides children with a superior education. Parents can quickly... Read More
More and more kids these days are diagnosed ADD, ADHD,... Read More
Life is comprised of pieces of time sprinkled with pivotal... Read More
Back in college, I wrote for a five-day-a-week, award-winning campus... Read More
Why do some children still do best after divorce and... Read More
Summertime means insect bites and stings. Ouch! Take a leaf... Read More
Parenting |