Incest Survivors Collective
Organization profile published 1982
Publisher: c/o Vancouver Status of Women, 400A West 5th Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V5Y 1J7
Year Published: 1982
Resource Type: Organization
Cx Number: CX2470
Incest has long been regarded as a social taboo. Yet evidence now coming to light suggests that it is an entrenched part of North American culture, and is in fact a manifestation of the power imbalances between men and women.
Abstract:
Incest has long been regarded as a social taboo. Yet evidence now coming to light suggests that it is an entrenched part of North American culture, and is in fact a manifestation of the power imbalances between men and women. Too many men assume they have the right of sexual access to female members of their family. There are an estimated 25 million incest victims in America; 1.5 million cases go unreported annually. Father-daughter incest is most prevalent, with victims ranging in age from babies on up. Sexual abuse is commonly accompanied by physical and mental violence. Mothers may be coerced to acquiesce, and abuse may continue for years. It occurs in all socio-economic groups.
In the past, fear, shame and lack of public support have prevented victims from speaking out. That is changing. In Vancouver, for instance, three adult incest survivors groups have been formed in the past year, along with an adolescent women's group and a children's group. There is as yet no support group for mothers.
In the words of the Incest Survivors Collective, "to stop incest we must look squarely at the truth as incest survivors have experienced it. Only then can we know what must be done to stop the abuse." Ultimately, however, it will require correction of the power imbalance between the sexes.
This organization no longer exists.
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