Incest is any sexual act or sexual overtone, perpetrated by someone in a familial or authoritative position with a child who is unable to refuse because of age, lack of knowledge or fear of the context of the relationship. The abuse may range from having the child leave a door open when undressing, showing the child explicit pornography to unwanted touches on the breast or genitals and all the way to increasingly violent sexual assaults.
Incest is a criminal act.
The penalties for incest vary from state to state, but in the state of Texas it is imprisonment of 5 years and up. One out of every three girls is a victim if incest, rape and other forms of sexual abuse. One out of seven boys is a victim. Incest usually starts from age 6 to 12 years. Incest affects all races and all socioeconomic groups.