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My Mother, My Abuser 2005

Highly Recommended

Distributed by Filmakers Library, 124 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016; 202-808-4980
Produced by Nicole Messier and Helene Courchesne for Radio Canada
Directed by Nicole Messier
VHS, color, 42 min.



College - Adult
Health Sciences, Psychology, Social Work, Women's Studies, Sociology

Date Entered: 09/20/2006

Reviewed by Lori Widzinski, Health Sciences Library, University at Buffalo, State University of New York

My Mother, My Abuser documents the tragic stories of victims of maternal incest. Child abuse of any sort is insidious, but it is horrifically traumatizing for victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by their mothers. A dysfunction rarely discussed, the estimated 8% of abuse victims reporting maternal incest is probably more realistically represented at 25% of abuse cases. It happens to both girls and boys, and most starts when the children are very young.

Using interviews with victims and supporting facts and evidence from clinical therapists and psychologists, several different stories unfold, demonstrating a wide range of experiences among victims. An underlying issue is that of control on the part of the abuser, and the feeling of many young victims that this is normal family behavior. The resulting permanent emotional and psychological damage created by maternal incest is particularly poignant and disturbing in these narratives. The conflict of wanting and needing a mother’s love and respect, and being deprived of it by constant abuse creates a twisted view of life making relationships outside the family difficult. Many victims and abusers are part of a chain of abuse, handed down from one generation to the next. Those that struggle to stop the cycle often have difficulty relating to their children, fearing they will start to abuse them, which often results in their children being deprived of normal love and affection.

My Mother, My Abuser is a well done, much needed resource for education in psychology, the health sciences, and clinical social work and psychotherapy programs. Highly recommended for college and adult viewers. The film contains some graphic descriptions of abuse. Portions are in French with English subtitles.