[Incest, a genocidal crime]

Incest covers multiple situations that have in common family dynamics where the absolute prohibition to have sexual relations with one of its members is not respected. It is a fundamental taboo in our Western societies where the family is considered as a system structuring the relationships between individuals. How can we understand the family transactions that can lead to such situations? What do we know today about families where incest occurs? What is the place of each member of this family, whether he or she is an actor, a witness, or totally unaware of the facts? What happens to the victims of such acts? Here is an insight into these different questions based on our experience as psychotherapists and researchers.