The incest victim often fears that discolure will provoke a hostile environmental response, expressed as disbelief, blame, indifference or outright hostility. This expectation contributes to the decision not to disclose, for years, or perhaps for ever.

The consequence of disclosure frequently bear out the victim's fears within the family, in society generally, within the legal process, and in health and welfare responses.

The paper examines the dynamics of this situation, with regard to the countertransference clues of which the author became aware during the intensive psychoanalytical treatment of incest victims.