Vulnerability to Incest – Findings From a Comparative Single-Case Study of the Onset of Intrafamilial Child Sexual Abuse

TL;DR

This study explores why some fathers commit incest by analyzing court reports and finds that family dynamics and beliefs about masculinity play a key role.

Contribution

The study applies the Vulnerability to Incest Model to real cases and identifies 'masculine sexual entitlement' as a new potential risk factor.

Findings

All families with incest had at least two vulnerability factors according to the model.

Offenders showed similar patterns of 'masculine sexual entitlement'.

Family system factors and spousal relationships influenced the likelihood of incest.

Abstract

Previous research about intrafamilial child sexual abuse was not able to identify specific risk factors that distinguish this unique subgroup from other sexual offending subgroups. In comparison to other groups of sexual offenders, men convicted of intrafamilial sexual child abuse (ICSA) are found to exhibit more similarities to non-offending fathers than extrafamilial sexual offenders. Consequently, the risk assessment of sexual recidivism among “incest offenders” lacks evidence-based evaluation criteria. Given the suggestion that family system factors should be included in research on the onset of ICSA, we employed the Vulnerability to Incest Model proposed by Trepper and Barrett (1989, https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203776605) in a qualitative single-case analysis. A comparative analysis of ten court evaluations of ICSA offenders revealed that all families in which ICSA has occurred demonstrated at least two vulnerability factors. The analyzed offenders exhibited comparable patterns of masculine sexual entitlement. The utility of this recently developed construct for sexual violence research is discussed and implications for further research proposed.

There is less research about sexual abuse in families compared to other types of sexual offenders. Because more and more people are being convicted for child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) offenses (so-called “child pornography”), child protection agencies and family courts often ask for psychological evaluations to assess the risk of incest offending behavior by already convicted fathers who still live with their children. We do not understand incest offenses as much as we do sexual abuse by other subgroups of offenders and there is only little empirical evidence to assess the risk of incest. This makes it difficult for clinicians who work with families to know if a (step-)father is likely to abuse his children. We need more research about why individuals commit incest offenses and about the risk factors related to the family system.

This qualitative study was done to understand incest offending from different points of view. Given that incest occurs within the family, the familial dynamics and spousal relationship were analyzed. The present study investigated potential reasons about why in some families abusive behaviors occur and in others not. We also aimed to find new ways to study child sexual abuse in families that could help to create effective prevention strategies.

We used court reports of incest offenders and analyzed them using an existing theory on familial incest vulnerability. Although incest offenders were vulnerable to sexual violence, their family and social circumstances were the main reasons for the incest. The offenders seemed to think they had the right to have sex with their family members. One reason for that could be because they had been taught about sex in a “traditional way”. We also looked at whether the abuse and neglect the offenders themselves experienced as children made them feel entitled. The construct of “masculine sexual entitlement” could be a reason for this finding. The analyzed incest offenders had a problematic relationship with the children’s mother. This may have reduced the father’s sense of entitlement regarding sexual satisfaction, dominance, and control.

The findings should encourage other researchers to look at how families and men’s attitudes towards masculinity and sexuality contribute to incest offending. However, the study sample was very small, so further investigations should examine larger samples and gather more information like, for example, about the (former) partners of incest offenders.

Trepper and Barrett designed a Vulnerability to Incest Model barely empirically tested.A comparative single case analysis revealed the existence of multiple vulnerabilities to intrafamilial child sexual offenses (ICSA).The individual offender’s vulnerabilities are influenced by the family system.Masculine sexual entitlement was identified as a potential vulnerability factor for ICSA.

Trepper and Barrett designed a Vulnerability to Incest Model barely empirically tested.

A comparative single case analysis revealed the existence of multiple vulnerabilities to intrafamilial child sexual offenses (ICSA).

The individual offender’s vulnerabilities are influenced by the family system.

Masculine sexual entitlement was identified as a potential vulnerability factor for ICSA.

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