Incest and other intrafamilial sexual abuse

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 disorganised 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 behaviour at adolescence occurred in one victim of father-child incest. Lesbianism resulted in one other. None suffered from any formal psychiatric disorder.