Incest and other intrafamilial sexual abuse
Aw, S.C.; Kok, L.P.
Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore 24(5): 691-695
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0304-4602 PMID: 8579311 Document Number: 443712
This study describes eight female adolescents who were sexually abused in childhood. Four were victims of incest. The mean age of onset of sexual abuse was 9.8 years and except for one, all had multiple incidents. All were from the lower socioeconomic class. The majority had disorganized families. The reactions of the majority of the victims were fear, intense anger and self-mutilation. All were separated from their families on disclosure of the abuse. A significant clinical sequela was that of suicidal tendency in all of them, six of whom attempted suicide repeatedly. Promiscuous behavior at adolescence occurred in one victim of father-child incest. Lesbianism resulted in one other. None suffered from many formal psychiatric disorder.