“In Search of Pure Stone”: Psychotherapy with a Sexually Assaulted Boy

Omiros was referred to a Child Guidance Unit when he was 4 years 8 months old. At the time of referral he seemed to be living in a fantasy world and his parents felt that they had little contact with him; nor did they have effective control. As the time for him to attend school approached, they had become deeply concerned about other aspects of his behaviour as well. For some time Omiros had been pushing pieces of plastic and wooden bricks into his bottom and he would attempt to do the same to his brother (aged 6 months at referral) or even to the children of social acquaintances if left alone with them. As a result of punishment he had become more secretive about his behaviour and had resorted to smuggling objects in with him when he went to the toilet and to emerging with them inserted in his bottom. By the time he came to the clinic, he had become more secretive, no doubt due to the fact that his parents would search his person from time to time and beat him if guilty.

At a meeting to investigate the possibility of therapy, I was forcibly struck by how helpless his parents felt in the face of such behaviour. They gave a tragic picture of the events leading up to the referral. It must be said, however, that from the beginning some aspects of the case history seemed puzzling and even now the picture is not altogether clear. Omiros's mother, Mrs. C, said that 18 months previously (when O was 2 ¹/₂) she had been bathing him when she had discovered semen in his anus. She said (with Mr. C present) that a Playgroup worker from the Nursery was suspected of assault and dismissed from his job. Apparently several children were said to be involved. However, a police doctor examined Omiros but said that there was not sufficient evidence for prosecution. Another source of information — the Health Visitor — said that father's lack of concern at the time seemed very suspicious and she thought he might have been involved in some way. It must