BOOK REVIEW: BRAVE LITTLE WOMEN, A Study on Incest

by Rose Cruz Churma

The book was published by the Institute of Women’s Studies of St. Scholastica’s College in 1995. Despite the three decades since its publication, the issue of incest is still very much a problem.

In a February 2023 edition of the Philippine Inquirer, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla is quoted as noting that the number of incestuous rape cases in the Philippines is “very alarming.”

He also lamented that, so few perpetrators of the crime are ever caught. He added that at least half of the people in the Philippine government’s Witness Protection program are victims of incestuous rape.

In Hawai’i, incest is not classified separately but is included as offenses of rape. In 2016, there were 42.1 cases per 100,000 residents (Fuatagavi & Perrone, 2017). It was reported that 8 out of 10 sexual assaults were perpetrated by the victim’s family member, intimate partner, friend, or acquaintance (Planty, 2013).

In the book’s foreword, Sister Mary John Mananzan notes that “this sense of proprietorship of males over females, especially those under their power, is the root of incest.”

This phenomenon has been hidden as a skeleton in the family closet, a secret kept under lock and key. And perhaps because of this secrecy—“it has gone on with impunity.”

This book aims to break the silence and give courage to the victims by giving them a voice and allowing them to tell their stories. Eleven girls (and a few young women) share their stories as told to their counselors.

The narratives from the victims are summarized in the chapter “From Control to Nurturing: Some Insights” and provide a typical profile of the victims and their family’s dysfunction.

The chapter called “Deep Scars: Problems in Advocacy” provides a window to the thoughts of those advocating for these victims. The advocates reflect the range of professions involved—from medical doctors, social workers, lawyers, and government officials tasked with protecting the victims and advocating for laws and policies to prevent recurrence and allow the victims to resume a normal life.

At about the time this book was published, a local women’s organization I was associated with was asked to conduct cultural awareness workshops statewide for social workers tasked with providing services to immigrant families. We were asked to provide insight into the cultural traits and behaviors of Filipino immigrants.

In a few of these sessions, I would encounter a question that would stun me. “Is incest a part of Filipino culture?” a few would ask.

When prodded to provide context to that question, the social workers state that family members would use that as an “excuse” when incest was investigated.

“No, it is not,” I would answer firmly. But even years after, it still gives me some discomfort remembering.

When I chanced on this book on my bookshelves, I re-read the book again and searched for information on the current statistics of the issue. Although terminologies have changed in the collection of data, dysfunction in families still exists.

A few years ago, in a letter-writing contest, teens and young adults between the ages of 14 to 22 were encouraged to write a letter to their parents or guardians. This was the “Letter to my Parents Contest in Hawai’i” sponsored annually by the Filipino Association of University Women (FAUW) and Reiyukai America.

There was one letter that dealt with sexual abuse from a grandfather and how this had changed her life, and how her mother helped her to heal. Written simply, it traced her initial anger and self-loathing—and the role her mother played in her recovery.

The “house mothers” interviewed in the book, who shared their insights on dealing with incest victims all claim that they are the most difficult to rehabilitate. But some do, as that young girl had described so eloquently in her letter to her mother.

This book on incest is a difficult one to read, and more difficult to process. But this simple letter written just a few years ago by a high school student gives me hope and will allow me to sleep peacefully at night.