controlling
entitlement
exploitativeness
denial and minimization
claimed loss of control
claimed provocation
grooming or seasoning
positive public image
objectification
sowing divisions within the family
confusion of love and abuse
threats and imposition of secrecy
manipulation
discrediting of disclosures
lack of mental health diagnosis
high recidivism and resistance to change
"It has been common for professionals to assume that the batterer’s problem is his anger, and that the incest perpetrator’s problem is his deviant sexual attraction to children. These are common misconceptions that lead to the overlooking of the key dynamics, which are that these abusers choose to take certain kinds of action, and that these choices are based on deeply-held beliefs and habits that support exploitation."
"An incest perpetrators may lay the groundwork for years as well; he works to build a special relationship with the intended victim, and strives to gradually break down her or his boundaries with slowly escalating invasiveness. The victim is often his “favorite,” to whom he gives particular kindness and attention, but often also particular harshness and control."
"Such an assessment is necessary even if the batterer does not use high levels of physical violence; in fact, two studies (Truesdell et. al., 1986, and Herman, 1981) mention the tendency of batterers who perpetrate incest to use low levels of physical violence towards the mother. The literature on incest perpetrators indicates that the best predictors of which batterers will sexually offend against their children are the batterer’s level of manipulativeness, entitlement, or self-centeredness; his history of expecting and requiring that the child meet his needs; and past behaviors of his that introduce a sexual or romantic element to his relationship with the child (Bancroft, 1996, and the various sources listed below on sexual offenders). Substance abuse is also positively correlated with sexual abuse."
Multiple studies have established the high overlap between battering and incest perpetration (Herman, 1981; McCloskey et. al.; Paveza; Sirle














