Making the child feel responsible for the abuse or for keeping the family together is one way for the abuser to ensure silence. Obviously, there are many explanations why an incest victim would not disclose the abuse. Some children fear their abuser will hurt them, or perhaps begin abusing another child if they do not endure it. An older girl might endure the abuse thinking that, if she does not, the abuser may go to her younger sister. Chances are she is being abused anyway and both are keeping their own secrets.
Children often feel responsible for the abuse, and therefore feel dirty and guilty.
Some do not want anyone to find out because of embarrassment. Children are often given rewards such as money or candy in exchange for keeping this secret. Other children worry that they will not be believed. If a child does reveal their secret, it usually produces a some backlash in their family as well as in society. Society often blames the victim as well, by insinuating that the child was seductive or by questioning the victim as to why they did not disclose the abuse sooner.