This study addresses the delicate issue of sexualized relationships in the family, with particular reference to the phenomenologies of sexual abuse and incest, as well as to the role and stages of scientific investigation of forensic medicine in their detection. If, from a legal point of view, incest refers to situations in which family morality is violated (which is the object protected by Article 564 of the Italian Criminal Code) through the performance of sexual acts that cause 'public scandal', in social perception the notion of incest is referred to all those cases in which sexual violence is performed between subjects belonging to the same family. Recent scientific contributions suggest the transversality of this phenomenon, which in fact occurs in all countries, as well as the high percentage of boys and girls who are victims. It should be pointed out that the available data on the incidence of the phenomenon are an underestimate, since the submergence of such serious sexual conduct often falls within the dark number (crimes committed and deliberately not reported to the judicial authorities).
A study on intra-family sexual abuse and incest: criminological, victimological, legal and medico-legal profiles
Malizia, Nicola;
2022-01-01
Abstract
This study addresses the delicate issue of sexualized relationships in the family, with particular reference to the phenomenologies of sexual abuse and incest, as well as to the role and stages of scientific investigation of forensic medicine in their detection. If, from a legal point of view, incest refers to situations in which family morality is violated (which is the object protected by Article 564 of the Italian Criminal Code) through the performance of sexual acts that cause 'public scandal', in social perception the notion of incest is referred to all those cases in which sexual violence is performed between subjects belonging to the same family. Recent scientific contributions suggest the transversality of this phenomenon, which in fact occurs in all countries, as well as the high percentage of boys and girls who are victims. It should be pointed out that the available data on the incidence of the phenomenon are an underestimate, since the submergence of such serious sexual conduct often falls within the dark number (crimes committed and deliberately not reported to the judicial authorities).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
