Disenfranchised Grief After Incest The experience of victims/daughters, mothers/wives

Abstract

In the literature on incest, the experience of grief and loss has been under‐explored. In this article we identify the way in which recognition and resolution of grief after incest is frequently not socially sanctioned and may become ‘disenfranchised’. The concept of disenfranchised grief is used to understand the experiences of young women who have been victims of father‐daughter incest, and their non‐offending mothers. The nature of their grief is discussed, along with the complex and multiple relationships within their families. Finally we look at the clinical implications of the therapist recognising the complex and contradictory nature of their experiences and attending to their losses.