Educational Media Reviews Online

From the opening interview that begins with a provocative statement by an adult victim of sexual abuse and throughout this documentary, the feelings and inner emotions of child incest victims are clearly articulated. The program intersperses interviews with abuse victims with those of counseling professionals. It includes both male and female victims, providing the viewer with a multi-dimensional look at the issue.

The delivery of this information is efficient and presented in a most believable manner. Throughout the program, the director keeps the camera focused on the victims and on experienced professionals as they relate their experiences. The director uses minimal distracting elements, so that pure feelings, ideas and information are presented.

The many on-camera interviews help unravel the huge impact of childhood sexual abuse. Victims tell of how certain visual images trigger strong emotions - clearly identifying the life-long impact of their abuse. They talk of their adult addictions, difficulty with relationships and communication, as well as feelings of depression that have cloaked their everyday life.

The impact of the interviews with the eight victims featured in this program is very powerful. All the topics associated with childhood incest are addressed such as present sexual experiences, current relationships, the impact on their children, and their current relationships with their families. Other feelings they share include guilt, shame and suicidal thoughts.

Becoming aware of sexual abuse as an adult is addressed. Victims talk of dreams and repressed memories coming to them in their adult life. Since this formerly hushed subject is now discussed more openly in society, victims can identify their inner struggle with their memories. One victim relates her fear that she might be exaggerating or transferring the images in her head from something she has read or heard. She and others talk of feeling confused and crazy at first. Returning memories often precipitate this.

Sexual Abuse: In the Family looks at how incest memories return. The professionals suggest that memories often return in reverse order and often slowly, sometimes recurring as feelings or images unconnected to other things. Victims talk of flashbacks triggered by everyday events, and how these flashbacks are full of difficult emotions.

Disclosure of sexual abuse is also presented. One victim clearly expresses the violent threats that were part of the incest. Other victims tell of the response they received upon revealing the abuse. One professional speaks of Freud's disclosure of sexual abuse and how Freud retracted his disclosure after great pressure from his family. In addition to presenting the intense impact and pain of incest, the program presents hope for a better life. The victims talk about their healing processes and how they are gradually getting their power back.

Recommended for professionals and highly recommended for victims of sexual abuse.