Courtois, C. (1988). Healing the incest wound. New York: W.W. Norton and Company.

OVERVIEW

This book developed out of the author’s frustration at not finding adequate information to help the many young women who sought help in coping with the after effects of sexual abuse. The author began her professional career working with victims of "stranger" rape. Her experience was that a significant number of the women coming to the rape center where she practiced were not victims of "stranger" rape, but incest at the hands of a family member.

Based on this information, she began a literature search, which uncovered little helpful information. During this same period of time, research was being done on domestic violence and traumatic stress. In cooperation with some of these other researchers, Courtois proposed that the most accurate diagnostic category for incest survivors was "post traumatic stress disorder," the label given to many Vietnam veterans experiencing extreme stress reactions upon returning home.

This book provides readers the information necessary to identify a potential problem and provide assistance when possible. The book is divided into three sections:

Incest characteristics and dynamics. A description of the family systems in which sexual abuse occurs and its development. Symptoms, aftereffects, and diagnosis. A description of the symptoms and signs that a young woman may have been or is being sexually abused. Incest therapy. Describes techniques that have been developed for working with survivors and helping them heal.

IMPLICATIONS

1. The first two sections of this book would be helpful to anyone who is involved in the lives of young women. The information is presented in a readable style that will appeal to the professional psychologist as well as to parents and youth workers. It is imperative that anyone working with youth and their families understand how dysfunction develops within the family system. In addition, youth workers must be able to recognize signs of abuse.
2. Section three of this book is intended for a professional counselor working with incest victims. Counseling—in any depth—with a survivor of sexual abuse should only be done by professionals.

Sandra Bisson cCYS