When a survivor makes the choice to face the incest directly, her burden of pain and hurt can be lifted. The incest will always be part of her past, but she can choose to remove its hold on her life. A survivor can claim her identity as a healthy, sexual person. (15 pp.)

• Sexuality Concerns of Male Incest Survivors
• Review of Research
• Worksheet on a Sequence of Dating and Sexual Behaviors
  (36 pp.)

Anxieties about future and current relationships can be reduced when survivors learn better how to distinguish abusers from nonabusers. (21 pp.)

This chapter focuses on three major areas in which sexual repercussions following incest are evident. These areas are (1) sexual emergence in early adulthood, (2) sexual orientation and preference, and (3) sexual arousal, response, and satisfaction.(27 pp.)

Sexual problems that resulted from incest do not go away by themselves. Treating them successfully requires an effective, well-focused effort that addresses the ingrained results of the abuse. This chapter gives guidelines for survivors to begin repairing their attitudes and behaviors regarding sex. (22 pp.)

Relationships can be weakened by the problems incest brings. When couples work as a team to meet this relationship crisis, they are able to feel closer and more secure with each other. This chapter will focus on what the partner experiences, what each partner needs from the other, and how the couple can work together.(35 pp.)

The intent of this chapter is to empower survivors and partners of survivors by offering practical information on different aspects of therapy for incest and sexuality concerns. Counselors and therapists treating incest survivors may also find this chapter helpful for further developing their approaches and skills. The topics covered are (1) understanding therapy, (2) finding a therapist, (3) beginning therapy, (4) incest resolution therapy, and (5) sex therapy. (55 pp.)

There are many survivors who feel ready to develop their sexuality in a positive way. For them, it is worth the time and energy necessary to explore their sexuality because of their strong desire to experience sexual pleasure and contentment. (14 pp.)

Incest lacks all the essential conditions for positive, healthy sexuality. There is no true consent, equality, respect, trust, or safety. Incest perpetrators use their victim’s age, dependence, and immaturity to their advantage. They selfishly exploit the innocence of their victims. (18 pp.)

Understanding family influences can benefit survivors. They can learn how each member of their family contributed to or was affected by the incest. Survivors learn that psychological problems suffered by older family members may have set the stage for incest to occur and to remain hidden. Self-blame is alleviated when survivors realize that what happened to them would have happened to any child of their sex entering the family when they did. This understanding helps free survivors from feelings of guilt and responsibility and thereby allows them to strengthen their identity apart from their family of origin. (35 pp.)