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Incest as child abuse: Research and applications
Book Reviews
603
years have produced convincing evidence that Greek children are not exempt from abuse in its many forms. Among the first activities ofthe team was the institution ofa program oftherapeutic intervention. not easy in a society where traditionally the family expected and was expected to “take care of its own” including, when necessary, covering up for transgressions. Subsequent efforts have been directed towards educating health personnel and providing the appropriate ministries and agencies with data and advice for planning services. The book written by Helen Agathonos and her colleagues, the first on child abuse and neglect in the Greek language, traces this story of the development of awareness, understanding, and teamwork, but it does much more. It supplies the Greek reader with a clearly written account of the historical background to child abuse, its diagnostic features, predisposing and etiological factors, and experiences of workers in other countries and in Greece in helping abusing families to find the best solutions to their problems. The range of contributors reflects the multidisciplinary nature of the approach. Chapters by pediatricians, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other clinicians provide a review of abuse as described in other countries and make a comparison with the picture in Greece. The medico-legal section and that dealing with family law as it relates to child rights and child protection illustrate the inadequacy of the Greek legislation to handle the legal aspects of abuse in a way optimal to the interests of the child and confirm the need for a legal adviser in the therapeutic team. Greece has no “place of safety” system, and therapeutic intervention is dependent on the cooperation ofthe family. Emphasis is placed on rehabilitation of the children, protection, and prevention. and the book ends with the I984 report and recommendations of a working party on child abuse and neglect convened by the Greek Ministry of Health and Welfare, recommendations yet to be acted upon. This book provides an excellent introduction to the subject of child abuse and neglect for those Greek professionals who are still at the stage of disbelief. It is also an invaluable handbook for those who recognize the problem and are confronted with the multiple difficulties ofhelping abused Greek children and their families. SHEENA NAKOU, M.D.
Incest as Child Abuse: Research London. 1986.229 pp. $29.95.
and Applications.
Brenda J. Vander
Mey and Ronald
L. Neff, Praeger.
THIS BOOK APPROACHES INCEST as a serious and severe form ofchild abuse. While early research tended to portray victims as seductive provocateurs, recent studies indicate that birth order, family configuration factors, personality, physical and socioeconomic factors may predispose children to the risk of incestuous victimization. The authors analyze data from two sets of substantiated and investigated incest cases taken from official reports by the Departments of Welfare in Mississippi and Virginia. Incest as Child Abuse compares the tindings from these two data sets to further delineate risk factors and family variables found in incest families. The authors compare the case studies with previous research findings in order to provide direction for future research, intervention, and prevention. Although some researchers contend that the effects of adult-child incest are typically nominal or non-existent. the authors argue that the weight of the evidence and the great majority of research indicate the opposite. DOMINIQUE GIRODET. M.D.
603
years have produced convincing evidence that Greek children are not exempt from abuse in its many forms. Among the first activities ofthe team was the institution ofa program oftherapeutic intervention. not easy in a society where traditionally the family expected and was expected to “take care of its own” including, when necessary, covering up for transgressions. Subsequent efforts have been directed towards educating health personnel and providing the appropriate ministries and agencies with data and advice for planning services. The book written by Helen Agathonos and her colleagues, the first on child abuse and neglect in the Greek language, traces this story of the development of awareness, understanding, and teamwork, but it does much more. It supplies the Greek reader with a clearly written account of the historical background to child abuse, its diagnostic features, predisposing and etiological factors, and experiences of workers in other countries and in Greece in helping abusing families to find the best solutions to their problems. The range of contributors reflects the multidisciplinary nature of the approach. Chapters by pediatricians, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other clinicians provide a review of abuse as described in other countries and make a comparison with the picture in Greece. The medico-legal section and that dealing with family law as it relates to child rights and child protection illustrate the inadequacy of the Greek legislation to handle the legal aspects of abuse in a way optimal to the interests of the child and confirm the need for a legal adviser in the therapeutic team. Greece has no “place of safety” system, and therapeutic intervention is dependent on the cooperation ofthe family. Emphasis is placed on rehabilitation of the children, protection, and prevention. and the book ends with the I984 report and recommendations of a working party on child abuse and neglect convened by the Greek Ministry of Health and Welfare, recommendations yet to be acted upon. This book provides an excellent introduction to the subject of child abuse and neglect for those Greek professionals who are still at the stage of disbelief. It is also an invaluable handbook for those who recognize the problem and are confronted with the multiple difficulties ofhelping abused Greek children and their families. SHEENA NAKOU, M.D.
Incest as Child Abuse: Research London. 1986.229 pp. $29.95.
and Applications.
Brenda J. Vander
Mey and Ronald
L. Neff, Praeger.
THIS BOOK APPROACHES INCEST as a serious and severe form ofchild abuse. While early research tended to portray victims as seductive provocateurs, recent studies indicate that birth order, family configuration factors, personality, physical and socioeconomic factors may predispose children to the risk of incestuous victimization. The authors analyze data from two sets of substantiated and investigated incest cases taken from official reports by the Departments of Welfare in Mississippi and Virginia. Incest as Child Abuse compares the tindings from these two data sets to further delineate risk factors and family variables found in incest families. The authors compare the case studies with previous research findings in order to provide direction for future research, intervention, and prevention. Although some researchers contend that the effects of adult-child incest are typically nominal or non-existent. the authors argue that the weight of the evidence and the great majority of research indicate the opposite. DOMINIQUE GIRODET. M.D.