Abstract

Background The case presented here took place in the deep south of Italy where, even today in some areas, people continue to hold on to beliefs in magic and superstition. Such ways of thinking have deep roots and hold important cultural significance in this part of the country. What makes this case so unusual and interesting however, is the way in which the perpetrator went about sexually abusing his daughter: • Seeking the help of sorcerers. • Sadistic practices such as injecting sperm into the victim, as well as providing her with food and drink laced with sperm. • Psychological violence. • Isolation of the victim. Method We examined the features of the violence perpetrated. An unusual web of ritualistic, mythical, subcultural, and “magical” elements were involved that went far beyond those normally associated with cases of sexual abuse. Another atypical characteristic of this case was the duration of the sexual relations between the father and daughter: 4 years. Results In cases of incest, the adult transforms a child’s dreams of seducing the parent into a nightmare in which the child is actually able to realize his or her goal. The parent should remain impassive in such situations. Whereas the child may only fantasize about sexual or incestuous behavior, adults must understand the difference between infantile phantasms by deciphering the meaning of these fantasies and not permitting them to be acted upon. Conclusions Unlike a “classic” rape, where the victim feels a sense of separateness from the rapist, the victim of sexual abuse within the family environment finds him or herself in a highly complicated relationship with the perpetrator. Even when these victims have feelings of hate toward the relative, they are unable to experience conflicting tensions and ambiguous emotions: This is particularly damaging to a child as we can see from this case.

Autore Pugliese

• Grattagliano Ignazio , Catanesi Roberto

Tutti gli autori

• GRATTAGLIANO I.;CATANESI R.

Titolo volume/Rivista

Non Disponibile

Anno di pubblicazione

2012

ISSN

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ISBN

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Numero di citazioni Wos

Nessuna citazione

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

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Numero di citazioni Scopus

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Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

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Settori ERC

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Codici ASJC

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