W W Norton and Company, Inc. The author, a psychologist, identifies herself as a former survivor of incest and a feminist. The book is an account of the research for her dissertation. The book begins with the incidence literature and the author's research methodology. The book then addresses the women's subjective experiences, their perceptions and attitudes towards reproduction, their preferences and current lifestyles, and sexual dysfunction. Later chapters present case histories and deal with treatment issues. The book ends with an epilogue which involves a final summary, and 7 appendices. There is a very small, one-sided bibliography on incest and a short index. Much of the book is very dated. The dissertation research was done in 1980 to 1984, the data collection from 1985 to 1986, and the data analysis from 1986 to 1987. Despite the rapidly changing research on incest, the author does not acknowledge new facts or insights. There are other problems with this book that limit its usefulness. The author acquired her 43 subjects from "self-help support groups," seriously compromising her ability to generalize her findings to women at large. Also, all of the women were white and Westerlund states that some of the small sample was made up of " East Coast feminists." Although 11% of the alleged perpetrators were women, there is no discussion about this. There are no efforts to question delayed memories, to validate the accounts, to discuss the problems with retrospective data, or to explore other possible cases for the sexual aversion that was reported by 14% of the sample. There is no mention of divorce and remarriage as it affects sexuality. There is no discussion as to why reports were not made to the police. Old therapy methods are endorsed, and suggested treatment involves aerobics, music and body work, and destroying photographs of the perpetrator. There is no empirical evidence supporting the use of such techniques. This book will only be of interest to a few sex therapists who treat white incest survivors who are likely to be feminists. It is not recommended. Reviewed by LeRoy G. Schultz, Professor Emeritus of Social Work, West Virginia University.
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