INCEST: A FAMILY TRAGEDY, Shazzam Films, an Edward Blackoff Film
Incest is rarely discussed. It is a topic shrouded in silence, shame, and stigma. Documentaries that portray either the perpetrators or the victims, or both, are even more rare. Edward and Sasa Blackoff, and a team that includes therapist William Meyers, developed a documentary that is daring in its content and noble in its purpose: to expose the truth about incest. To expose incest is to increase awareness; increasing awareness offers insight to protect the children.
The truth about incest is that it is more common than society suspects and more devastating than words can express. Blackoff interviewed victims and perpetrators, as well as service providers and law enforcement officials. Most interviews took place in Florida and Oklahoma, which is the “Heartland of America.” The viewer learns that children are more likely to be victimized by family members than by strangers. Someone the child knows commits 95% of sexual abuse. Courageous victims tell their stories, and state that the trauma of incest lasts for a lifetime. Fortunately, the viewer is offered respites from the intensity of the interviews with visuals of a peaceful nature.
The viewer learns about incest from perpetrators themselves, who disclose how they choose their victims and how often they abuse. The perpetrators state exactly what “abused” and “molested” means, in terms that are often graphic. One convicted perpetrator complained how his life was a “living hell.” The lack of remorse and empathy toward his victim(s) was absolutely maddening! How dare he complain when he has ruined others’ lives with his own selfish needs? Another convicted perpetrator appeared so full of remorse that he could almost be a sympathetic character. However, as a viewer and victim, I was left wondering how long it would be until he victimized his own young daughter.
Blackoff interviewed other experts* who work as sex offense treatment providers, as well as parole officers, and law enforcement officials. All indicate that there is a lack of funds for the treatment and containment of sex offenders. To get the funds, we must lobby our lawmakers, and no one in political office would agree to be interviewed for this documentary. (*These experts are educated and trained in the area of sexual violence. (“Expert” also applies to victims, those that have experienced sexual violence.)
No doubt the viewer will be haunted by this documentary, wondering what in the world we can do as a society to protect our children. In a country that focuses on intervention after-the-fact, how do we prevent incest? Other reviews of this film say it is “groundbreaking” and “finally, an honest film.” The documentary is all that, but it begs the questions: People, where have you been? Why have you not protected your children? And think about this: How WILL you protect your children? Incest is a choice. Choose to be aware of the perpetrators.
INCEST: A FAMILY TRAGEDY raises the awareness. As an author on the topic and an advocate for victims, I highly recommend this consciousness-raising, award-winning documentary. Review completed by Lynn C. Tolson, author of Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor’s Story
