A DISTRESSING number of individuals suffer behind closed doors from incest. Incest involves engaging in sexual activity with a family member or close relative. Its victims are both female and male minors below the age of 18. Global research, however, consistently indicates that girls face a higher vulnerability. 

In the Malaysian context, criminologist Shankar Durairaja revealed that, on average, 15 incest cases are reported to the police each month. He further highlighted that in 2019, a total of 300 cases were reported, followed by 259 cases in 2020 and 245 cases in 2021.  

From January to June 2022, the Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry recorded approximately 127 cases of incest. Also, in a 2015 study conducted in Kelantan, it was found that incest is the second-highest sexual offence reported at the One Stop Crisis Centre, HUSM.

Incest continues to occur due to the secrecy surrounding it. Victims may hesitate to report such cases due to their relationship with the perpetrator or even their lack of awareness regarding the criminal nature of their experiences.

Access to pornography 

The easy and unrestricted access to pornography, which includes incestuous content, is likely one of the significant causes of incest. There is widespread availability of sexual material in mainstream media, driven by globalisation, the expansion of the internet, and the existence of free-to-watch websites offering sexual content. 

Based on a study, between 60 and 70% of Malaysians aged 18-30 years surveyed online reported positive attitudes toward pornography and just over 81% reported lifetime intentional exposure to it. 

In recent years, there has been a significant rise in the production and dissemination of incest-themed pornography, commonly referred to as “fauxcest”. 

Furthermore, TV shows and movies play a catalytic role in showcasing and normalising incestuous relationships. For instance, the popular series “Game of Thrones”  often features incestuous relationships, which can be intriguing enough for some viewers to explore it.

As said by HELP University Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, Education and Languages dean, Dr Gerard Louis, “When a child is exposed to something sexual, such as porn or any sexual show or scene, they will start to wonder what the act is about. This leads to some children wanting to explore more to satisfy their ever-growing need to understand.”

Challenging living conditions 

Lack of living space may lead to households being overcrowded.

A study found that some children needed to share beds with their siblings regardless of gender while in some such households, parents even slept in the same room as the kids.

This increased closeness to individuals within the household can significantly elevate the risk of child sexual abuse. The invasion of personal privacy among family members can further blur the boundaries and create an environment conducive to the occurrence of incestuous relationships.

Therefore, children in impoverished communities face an increased risk of exposure to adult material, violence, and other undesirable situations within their homes.

In its upcoming article, EMIR Research will present comprehensive policy recommendations aimed at effectively addressing the issue of incest. – July 4, 2023.

* Farah Natasya is a research assistant at EMIR Research, an independent think tank focussed on strategic policy recommendations based on rigorous research. 

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.