This paper discusses the thesis that traumatic events in childhood (especially sexual abuse) tend to lead to the destruction of the normal oedipal-phase changes because the ordinary developmental fantasies are inhibited. Freud's fascination with the oedipal story is outlined, and the case of ‘Dora’ is used as a well-known example to demonstrate some of the difficulties and pitfalls for therapists working with abused patients.

The ‘seduction theory’ is discussed, and Freud's reluctance to abandon it. Balint's view of the context of abuse within the close confines of the ‘traumatogenic object’ is discussed. Although we now have much more information available to us about the nature and extent of abuse, and a variety of different models which attempt to explain its genesis, it is suggested that the dilemmas that presented to Freud are still important today, perhaps particularly for the male therapist. A plea is made not to re-abuse the patient by ‘accommodating’ to the story of early trauma by labelling it as a state of confusion between fact and fantasy.