Abstract
M.A.
Once intra-familial sexual abuse is publicly disclosed, outside agencies are likely to
intervene. Professional intervention seldom involves one person or agency alone, but
includes various agencies. These agencies may conceptualize the problem of incest
in different ways. The epistemological stance that is adopted by a specific agent will
guide the nature of the subsequent intervention. When several agents with divergent
epistemologies are working together on the same case, they may inadvertently
combine in such a way as to frustrate each other's activities, and in so doing, increase
the depth of the crisis.
Although different agencies conceptualize the phenomena of incest in different ways,
they are primarily based on a linear epistemology. In this thesis, it is suggested that
an epistemological shift is required in the multi-disciplinary management of incest.
That is a shift from a Newtonian world view which emphasizes linear causality and the
existence of a single objective truth or reality, to a scientific- philosophical approach
called constructivism.
A constructivist approach advocates the existence of multiple realities. It embraces
both form and process and emphasizes the recursive connection between systems.
Furthermore, the therapeutic reality is a co-creation between members of the familyprofessional
system.
A detailed case example is presented to illustrate the multiple, discrepant ideas held
by various professionals involved with a family where father-daughter incest has
occurred. The different types of interventions which emanated from these discrepant
ideas are also discussed. Furthermore, the study describes the mutual influence and
interlocking effects between all members of the professional-family system.
It is suggested that the multl-disciplinary management of incest requires a
constructivist approach. This broader view takes into account the realities of all
members of the professional-family system, and addresses the interfaces between
views in the wider ecology in which the abuse is identified and treated ...