
Intrafamilial Child Torture
Intrafamilial Child Torture (ICT) is a particularly severe form of child maltreatment with unique family dynamics and devastating outcomes for child victims. The dynamics and outcomes of torture for children in their families are comparable to other forms of child torture in non familial contexts.
No separate diagnostic category exists for ICT. It is not widely recognized or understood by child maltreatment professionals, and there is little research data to help professionals fully understand it or know how to respond. We expect that ICT cases are often misdiagnosed or remain unidentified. We also contend that professional responses to other forms of child maltreatment may not be effective for ICT and may leave tortured children at extreme risk of serious harm.
In our work, we propose a working definition of ICT to raise professional awareness of the condition and to promote adoption of ICT as a category of child maltreatment. We also describe the most effective and specialized treatment interventions for children who have experienced extreme early trauma, including child victims of ICT.
Resources include case studies of child survivors to illustrate family dynamics, severity, outcomes for child victims, and legal issues.





Authors
Advisors
Pamela Miller, JD, MSW, LISW-S
Deputy Director, Center for Child Policy
Senior Policy and Law Analyst, Center for Child Policy
Expert Witness and Consultant
Judith S. Rycus, PhD, MSW
Program Director, Center for Child Policy
Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Child Policy
Program Director, Institute for Human Services
Ronald C. Hughes, PhD, MSSA
Executive Director, Center for Child Policy
Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Child Policy
Executive Director, Institute for Human Services
Victor Vieth, JD, JA
Chief Program Officer, Education and Research, Zero Abuse Project
Nicole Adams, MA
Program Manager, Child Protective Services Intake
Douglas County Department of Human Services
Susana Flores, MS
Executive Director/Forensic Interview Specialist,
The Children’s Advocacy Center, Covina, California
Cherilyn R. Haworth, MSW, LCSW
Title IV-E Project Coordinator and Lecturer Department of Social Work, California State University, Bakersfield
Jessica M. Large, MA, EdS, LPC, ACS
Coordinator of Outpatient Services,
Center for Evaluation and Counseling, Inc.
Lucien X. Lombardo, PhD
Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice,
Old Dominion University
Jason Lundquist, MCJ
Crimes Against Children Unit Supervisor,
Police Department, City of Waco, TX
Ann Ratnayake Macy, JD, BBA
Founder/Executive Director,
National Center for Child Abuse Statistics and Policy
Felicia Marsh, MA, LPC, CSAT
Board-Certified Sexual Abuse Trauma Expert/AAETS
Owner, Lighthouse Counseling and Psychotherapy PLLC
Suzanne Starling, MD
Medical Director, Chadwick Center for Children and Families, Rady Children’s Hospital of San Diego
Suzanna L. Tiapula, JD
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney,
Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, County of Hawaii
Center for Child Policy
A Child Maltreatment Think Tank