Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides a victim-centred, family approach to therapy with families where a father has sexually abused a child. It outlines an approach based on the practice developed over 25 years at Cedar Cottage, a specialist, community-based treatment program in Sydney, Australia. The book also provides an overview of the principles and conceptual underpinnings of the victim-centred family approach. For therapists who are not working with all family members, the book assists them to keep in mind the ways in which each element of treatment needs to contribute to offender accountability and victim safety. The book explores the contribution of group work and identifies the qualities that therapists need to bring to this field of practice. It also explores the topic of child sexual abuse more broadly, and specifically the nature and effects of parental sexual abuse.