Incest
Incest is sexual contact between close family members, and when it involves a child it is a form of child sexual abuse. Survivors often carry shame, secrecy, and trauma symptoms into adulthood, and those responses are normal reactions to a profound betrayal of trust, not signs of weakness.
Recovery is possible, and trauma-informed therapy is one of the most effective paths toward it.
If you have experienced sexual abuse and need support right now, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline is free and confidential, 24 hours a day, at 800-656-4673.
Which Relationships Are Considered Incest?
Sex between any family members who are too closely related to marry is considered incest. Sex between third or fourth cousins may not be considered incest, since marriage between cousins of this degree of consanguinity is generally not prohibited. Some evolutionary psychologists believe there is an innate incest taboo preventing children raised in the same household from finding one another sexually attractive or engaging in sexual relationships. However, estimates of the crime ranging from 20% suggest that it is not fully prohibited by any gene or brain adaptation.
Incest most often, according to available statistics, occurs as a form of child abuse. Eighty percent of underage survivors are abused by a parent. Sometimes incest occurs by choice, between adults who are of an age to consent to sex. This, however, is believed to be fairly uncommon.
Most incest laws in the United States prohibit marriage or relations between siblings, parents and children, and grandparents and grandchildren. Each state defines it differently and has its own laws regarding incestuous relationships. In some states, for example, two first cousins may be allowed to marry. Sexual contact with a family member under the age of 18 is a crime in all states.
Prevalence of Incest
Incest is largely underreported, and many reports have been written off as fabricated repressed memories or otherwise called into question. This doubt, and the stigma already surrounding incest, may be partially responsible for the reluctance of survivors to report it. Some children may not report it because the abuser has threatened them or told them what is happening is normal. They may also feel embarrassed or ashamed and be unsure of who to tell. Many people believe incest is rare, perhaps because it is often not reported, but study results show it to be much more common than it is assumed to be.
In America, approximately 44% of rape survivors are under 18 when assaulted, and over a third of the perpetrators in these cases are family members. However, because of the aforementioned factors, the actual rates of incest are difficult to calculate and may be much higher.
Healing is possible, even decades later. A therapist trained in trauma can help you work through it at your own pace.
Incest and Trauma
Non-consensual and coercive incest can cause severe psychological damage. Due to the stigma surrounding it, many of those who are victimized never report the crime, which can often prevent them from being able to process the abuse and heal from it.
Some survivors repress their memories of such incidents. Doing so may help them temporarily avoid trauma and pain, but over time, they may experience concerns such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Posttraumatic stress
- Low self-esteem
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Sleep issues
- Panic
- Dissociation
- Suicidal ideation
- Eating disorders
- Other sexual assault later in life
Even incest occurring between adults who have both consented to the sexual relationship can have lasting effects. When closely-related relatives, such as siblings, have children together, there is a higher likelihood of birth defects and genetic mutations. However, more distant relatives are less likely to experience these effects.
Help and Resources for Incest
The lasting effects of incest, and other sexual abuse, can be addressed in therapy. Therapy can be beneficial to survivors, even when the abuse happened years or even decades earlier. Disclosing the crime, especially when memories have been repressed, can be difficult for survivors, but a trained and compassionate therapist or counselor can often help survivors explore and heal from feelings of guilt, shame, and betrayal, as well as any mental health concerns experienced as a result of the abuse.
Some survivors may also find support groups to be helpful, and a therapist or counselor, as well as organizations such as Survivors of Incest Anonymous, can connect those seeking help with local survivor support groups. Survivors can also call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 or chat online, anonymously and confidentially, at RAINN.
Incest and the Law
In the United States, each state establishes its own incest laws. Some states criminalize relationships between siblings, parents and children, and cousins, while other states permit relationships between cousins. Such laws are generally enforced by prohibiting marriage and sexual activity between certain people; when it is not consensual, the perpetrator may be prosecuted for rape or sexual assault. Crimes like these often receive more severe sentences than other sex crimes against minors.
No minor can consent to sexual activity. Further, many states treat incest between an older teen (above the age of consent) and a related adult as statutory rape, no matter the circumstances of the sexual activity.
References:
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Courtois, C. A. (2010). Healing the incest wound: Adult survivors in therapy (2nd ed.). W. W. Norton.
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Herman, J. L. (2000). Father-daughter incest. Harvard University Press.
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Herman, J. L. (2015). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence (Rev. ed.). Basic Books.
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Kluft, R. P. (2011, January 11). Ramifications of incest. Psychiatric Times. Retrieved July 13, 2026, from https://www.psychiatrictimes.com
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RAINN. (n.d.). Incest. Retrieved July 13, 2026, from https://www.rainn.org
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RAINN. (n.d.). Victims of sexual violence: Statistics. Retrieved July 13, 2026, from https://www.rainn.org/statistics
Last Updated: 07-13-2026
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Beau
April 24th, 2016 at 3:20 AMGreat site with lots of good info. My daughter was sexually abused by her father at age 3y 10m, and she is now 5y 2m…..just trying to better educate myself with all this so I can help her and make sure she’s receiving everything she might need. Just trying to imagine her pain and fear, kills me💔
Diana
July 14th, 2016 at 3:25 PMI have an ex sister in-law who was raped by her real father. She didn’t report it because she was drinking with her father whom she had just met for the first time since she was born an adopted out. She is an adult married an has 1 child. This had happened a bout say 4 years ago and she dealt with it not telling anyone what happened for at least 1year 1/2 then came out with it to the family. She has been on meds trying to commit suicide in an out of the hospital. As of now she is in hospital because of another suicide attempt. She use to be a beautiful person an this has taken a toll on everyone an sad to see her like this. I really want to know what we can do for her,? Like is there a treatment center for woman who have been sexually abused raped by their own father? She is in need of desperate help and wanting to look into something that could help her. Live on Vancouver Island. If there is such a place please let me know so I can try an help her an my ex’s family. She is such a beautiful person, an deserves to be helped from this nightmare road shes gone down from what happened to her. Her father destroyed such a wonderful person an want to help her.
Virginia
November 15th, 2016 at 2:42 PMDiana,
I am an incest survivor and I am so sorry for your terrible experience. I have recently written and published a collection of poetry regarding the subject. It is an introduction to your recovery process. I know first hand how you must feel and I know this little book can be of help to you. It’s available on Amazon. It is titled Novocain and speaks of forgiveness. I know in time this nightmare will be behind you. Also please keep in mind that your child can provide so much strength for you.Many blessings,
Virginia
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