The Incest Perpetrator: A Family Member No One Wants to Treat

by Anne L. Horton (Editor)

While the key actor in the incestuous family has been generally condemned from all sides, the contributors to this book insist that the treatment community is under the same obligation to the incest perpetrator as to any other member of the community. Using a direct, practical approach based on an extensive research programme, they provide a basic profile of the incest perpetrator, treatment guidelines and referral options, and future implications for research and practice. Experts in criminal justice and clinical treatment join forces with perpetrators to unravel the critical issues of remedial concern, including legal and ethical issues. Throughout, the emphasis is on help and corrections. The volume is directed at traine

Paperback

First published December 1, 1989

Reviews

[Brandon Stout · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had some of the most definitive research for its time, and still has valid and reliable information. There are gems in here too that are often overlooked, such as apology and forgiveness. In treating the perpetrator, it can help them come to terms with the fact that one apology will never be enough, and that in giving a sincere apology every time it is needed, up to the rest of their lives. A sincere non-defensive apology will assist in the victim's healing and and self-healing.

Whether a perpetrator ever apologizes or not, when a victim forgives a perpetrator, they are able to find some emotional healing. The victim heals the most when there is a sincere apology and when they can also forgive (which generally takes some time, understandably). The perpetrator will find some healing when they can forgive themselves, and still be ready for a sincere apology whenever it is needed.

Some of this information is in the book, spread between articles. I've summed up what I've written here with information from other studies and from a course I took from one of the researchers, Dr. Reed Blake. There's a lot more information in this book for people interested in treating child abuse perpetrators in general, even though this work is specifically about incest perpetrators.