Incidence of Nonsexual Violence I n Incest Offenders

A number of reports have emphasized the lack of physical aggression and violence used by incest offenders despite evidence to the contrary from victims. The current study investigated the extent of sexual and nonsexual violence committed by incest offenders against members of their family. Two groups of offenders (38 incest offenders and 52 non-sex offenders) were compared on ratings of threats, violence, and amounts of physical aggression used in their index offenses as well as outside of their index offenses within their homes. The results of the study revealed that a large percentage of both groups of offenders used physical, nonsexual violence directed towards both partners and children within their homes. The results of this study are discussed in terms of viewing incest in isolation from other behaviours and the protection of incest victims.