Molestation, Incest and Rape in African American Families

Executive Statement
While the idea of scientific research is to eliminate the proclivity to view facts through the lens
of bias, I must admit that this is a topic that challenges me like no other when it comes to bias.
As a research psychologist and a clinical therapist, I am completely cognizant of the pathological
principles and concepts of psychology that explain the behavior of a pedophile; however, being
the father of four daughters, and having to engage the immense responsibility of protecting them
at the different stages of their lives, I am torn between what I know academically and what I am
convinced of experientially. Although all forms of pedophilia are extremely heinous, fatherdaughter
incest, to me, is the greatest violation of human sanctity possible, followed closely by
father-son incest.
While this particular paper is meant to focus on the empirical evidence associated with incest in
the African American Community. I have deemed it necessary to indulge the need to escape
academic rigidity, to some extent, for the purpose of allowing the reader to make the connection
to what they read in a manner that allows them to identify with the problem on a level that
motivates them to become involved and take action. This paper is not written with my academic
peers in mind as much as it is written with the idea of providing elucidation to a highly complex
and pernicious force within the black community.
The black community is suffering in the area of unity, especially when it comes to the
relationship between the black man and the black woman, and a significant portion of this
dissension can be traced along the line of distrust to the early years of young girls who were
sexually violated by men they should have been able to trust to protect them. Men who shared
the same bloodline — in many cases, these men were their fathers, brothers and uncles. These
abusive encounters led to the development of psychoneurotic behavior, such as elevated anxiety
levels, issues with trusting men, an increased sense of distress and the development of an overall
deficit in functionality.
I am hoping that this paper will bridge the gap between science, compassion and common sense.
~ Dr. Rick Wallace, Ph.D., Founder-CEO, The Odyssey Project
Abstract
While the subject of child molestation and incest remains a taboo topic within the African
American collective, its prevalence and impact can no longer be ignored. When perusing
psychology textbooks on incest and molestation, especially the older ones, it is easy for a
psychology student to develop an impression that molestation, incest and rape within the
family environment is extremely rare; however, when engaging professional therapists
(psychiatrists, psychologist, cognitive therapists, etc.) on the matter, it becomes obvious that
this type of trauma is not only immensely prevalent, but that it also has an immense impact on
the long-term success of the victim. The purpose of this brief treatise on this particular topic is
to expand the superficial knowledge on the subject, while illuminating the manner in which
this type of trauma can negatively impact the life of the victim and those within their