Crime Prevention and Security Tips - INCEST
The Most Fundamental Violation of Trust
Incest is more difficult to talk about than rape, but it happens to at least 100,000 children and teens each year. The most common kind of incest is sex between an older family member – a parent, stepparent, uncle, or cousin – and a child or teenager. Most victims are girls, although it can and does happen to boys as well.
Incest occurs through persuasion and pressure more often than by physical violence. It becomes a closely held secret, continuing for years. The victims feel shame, anger, and guilt and usually believe they must handle the situation alone. Incest victims who have to depend on their abusers for food and shelter tell themselves it won't happen again, or worry about sending their father, stepfather, uncle or brother to jail.
The best way to stop incest is to tell someone you trust and who will believe you. This can be very, very difficult and parents or relatives may say you are lying or that you caused the assault. Keep reminding yourself that incest is not an expression of love and that you have the right not to be touched sexually by anyone against your will. Keep telling until someone believes you.
Running away or getting married to escape the situation are never solutions, but only create new problems all their own.
Persons who commit incest – and their victims – can only be helped when the problem is out in the open. Although incest is a criminal offense, the abuser usually is not jailed, but is ordered to get psychiatric help. Many law enforcement agencies work with mental health and social service agencies to stop the incest, protect the victim and help all members of the family.