Psycho-Social Effects of Father–Daughter Incest: Views of South African Social Workers

Incest and Cultural Issues in Africa

Father–daughter incest (FDI) is one of the most prohibited sexual acts and is increasingly becoming a widespread problem in South Africa. Specifically, the study explored factors contributing to incest, how incidences of incest become known, different ways that incest affects the offender, the victim and the family as well as how professionals intervene in incest cases. The literature was reviewed to fully understand incest within the Western and African context, the relationship of father-daughter in the incest act, what influences the occurrence of father–daughter incest and what measures are taken to intervene in father–daughter incest cases. A qualitative approach was used in this study and focused on exploring the psychosocial effects of incest on the victims and the offender as well as the family’s perspectives affected by such experiences. Systems theory, psychoanalytic and trauma theory formed the theoretical framework of this study.

Prevalence of incest worldwide

• Western context
• African context

Stages of incest

Traits of family members in FDI

• The mother
• The daughter
• Family system dysfunction
• Psychosocial effects of incest

Theoretical framework

• Trauma theory

Method

• Sample
• Procedure

Results

• Ethical considerations
• Profile and themes

Themes and subthemes identified in the study

• Theme 1: Factors leading to FDI
  • Factors that influence fathers to commit incest
  • Factors that influence daughters to indulge in incest
  • Family circumstances that breed FDI
• Theme 2: Discovery of FDI
  • Factors that impede the disclosure of FDI
  • How the disclosure occurred
  • How incest cases come to social worker’s attention
• Theme 3: Psychosocial effects of incest
  • Effects on the father
  • Effects on the daughter
  • Incest has a damaging effect towards the education of victims
  • Effects on the mother
  • Effects on the family
  • Families undergo trauma
• Theme 4: Interventions of incest
  • Training received for handling incest cases
  • Techniques used for handling incest cases
  • Reunification methods for incest incidences

Discussion

Conclusions and recommendations

Inceste père-enfant, Victime mineure, Relation familiale, Intervention, Travailleur social, Relation père-fille, Conséquence, Traumatisme psychique

Inceste père-fille

Afrique, Afrique du Sud