HOW DO MOTHERS EXPERIENCE THE SEXUAL ABUSE OF THEIR DAUGHTERS

Previous studies especially research done by systemic family-therapists stressed the importance of the role of the mother in sexual abuse of children by male family members. The literature on the reactions of mothers and their coping with the situation after disclosure will be reviewed. Our own qualitative studies on the reactions of mothers showed, that the disclosure is a multiple crisis for the mother: (a) A crisis and/or breakdown of the hitherto existing concepts of partnership; (b) the mothering-competence is called in question; (c) breakdown of the previous self assertion and self concept as a woman; (d) psychosocial crisis of bereavement and/or conflicts and changes in all relationships (isolation, loneliness); (e) material and economical crisis. Different case examples will be given in order to illustrate the findings. Finally the importance of these findings for consulting and therapeutic work with mothers will be discussed.