The sexual abuse of children committed by women, most often mothers, is a rarely documented subject. In this film, six victims of maternal incest powerfully convey their nightmarish child hoods. "It is common that young children do not have the words to tell other people" says Michelle Elliott, psychologist and author of Female Sexual Abuse of Children. The abuse often begins in infancy when children do not understand what their mother is doing. They lose hope that anyone will stop it and cannot talk about it until decades later.

Often, physical violence accompanies the sexual abuse. From the age of two for eleven years, Lucy was abused by her mother who tried to smother her with a pillow when she refused to submit. The mother began abusing Lucy's younger sister when Lucy reached thirteen. Paul could not share his memories of abuse and feelings of abandonment with anyone. His secret dragged him into depression, hallucinations and institutionalization. The psychologist Monique Tardif of the Institute Philippe Pinet in Montreal says many incestuous mothers were abused by their fathers and later treat their own children as rivals for their husbands' love. She believes sexual abuse by mothers is much more common than formerly believed.

The trauma is very deep and the victims often suffer for the rest of their lives. Ironically, many victims continue to seek maternal love long after they have been in therapy and have articulated the awful truth.

" Highly Recommended. My Mother, My Abuser is a well done, much needed resource for education in psychology, the health sciences, and clinical social work and psychotherapy programs. Highly recommended for college and adult viewers. The film contains some graphic descriptions of abuse. Portions are in French with English subtitles. " Educational Media Reviews Online