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.

Blonde toddler boy sitting on floor wearing brown sweater
Policy Green banner

Policy Reports

Brown haired girl with hands on side of face
Green cover page for Policy Report
Green cover page for Policy Report
Green cover page for Policy Report
Green cover page for Policy Report
Young boy with sweater and hand on head sitting at a school desk
Amicus Briefs Green banner

Amicus Briefs

TAMMY SMATHERS, individually and on behalf of the ESTATE OF HARMONY BROOKLYN RAYNE CARSEY,
Plaintiffs-Appellant

vs.

RICK GLASS, Executive Director of Perry County Children's Services, et al.  
Defendants-Appellees

TAMMY SMATHERS, individually and on behalf of the ESTATE OF HARMONY BROOKLYN RAYNE CARSEY,
Plaintiffs-Appellants

vs.

RICK GLASS, Executive Director of Perry County Children's Services, et al.  
Defendants-Appellees

close up of curly red headed boy

AMANDA BRANDT, Plaintiff-Appellant

vs.

ROY POMPA, Defendant-Appellee

Publications Green Banner

Publications

Image of toddler with scratch on her face
Webinars Green Banner

Webinars

Teen boy brown hair with grey sweater
Resource Green banner

Resources

Green cover page download
image of blonde haired blue eyed toddler
Image of Resources for Survivors of ICT Download
Contributors Green banner

Contributors

Authors

Pamela Miller, JD, MSW, LISW-S
Senior Policy and Law Analyst,
Child Maltreatment Policy Resource Center

Judith S. Rycus, PhD, MSW
Program Director, Senior Policy Analyst,
Child Maltratment Policy Resource Center
Institute for Human Services

Ronald C. Hughes, PhD, MSSA
Executive Director, Senior Policy Analyst
Child Maltreatment Policy Resource Center
Institute for Human Services

Victor Vieth, JD, JA
Cheif Program Officer,
Education and Research
Zero Abuse Project

Advisors

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
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