Speaking Out Against Incest
Victims of incest take the courageous step of testifying against those who abused them
Victims of incest have long been silenced by cultural and familial taboos. But many are now taking the courageous step of speaking out, and challenging the culture that helps shield their abusers.
For years, Thérèse Michot repressed the memory of her abuse at the hands of her father, before therapy helped her recover her memory: 'I saw Mom as a spider with eyes everywhere, she was watching everything and covering for the pig, as I represented my father in therapy.' Memory repression is common amongst victims of incest. As psychologist Lydiane Bouchet puts it, 'The person is going to dissociate themselves from that moment in life so they can go on living.' Many still find it difficult to speak out due to their families shielding predators, or gender expectations. Arnaud Gallais who formed a group that helps other victims of abuse, believes we need to break these taboos to tackle the abuse: 'I think we need a society that protects everyone, regardless of their gender or history.'
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