ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the theme of gender mediated hierarchy in families where sexual abuse is an issue. Intra-familial sexual abuse highlights gender difference in that it is most frequently the male parent who abuses his power, authority and status within the family by sexually abusing the child or children of that family. It is also important to recognise that not only are children targeted and groomed for sexual abuse by individuals who have a sexual interest in children, but that partners can be similarly targeted and will be groomed to be less effective as external inhibitors to sexually abusive acts (Finkelhor 1984).
