The Legal Definition of Incest in BC

The legal definition of incest in British Columbia is the same as the definition in other provinces because it is defined by the federal criminal code. Namely, incest is knowingly having sexual intercourse with a parent, a child, a sibling, a grandparent or a grandchild.

Incest is hard to talk about and is considered to be vastly underreported. Some estimates are that as many as 10 percent of the population experience incest, but only about one-tenth of those occurrences are reported.

One of the reasons why it is so often underreported is that it often involves a child, who does not know who to tell or who that child can trust. Also, if it is reported, the child may be removed from the home, which is another trauma to the child.

Fortunately, British Columbia funds a long list of victim-service programs across the province, and there are many of these programs that are equipped to address incest. These programs offer support, information, and counselling to victims of incest, young or old. There are also support groups in several cities including Vancouver and Victoria for survivors of incest.

It can be difficult to draw a line between child abuse and incest as the two crimes crossover, but child abuse, incest, and all sex crimes are serious. If you are charged with any kind of sex crime, please engage a criminal lawyer as soon as possible.

If you are charged with any kind of sex crime, please contact Gagan Nahal for a free consultation in Vancouver at (604) 527-4769. Mr. Nahal’s law practice focuses on criminal defence law, he has extensive experience in these areas of the law.

Gagan Nahal is a criminal defence lawyer based in Surrey, British Columbia, although he has represented clients across Canada. He works vigorously and tirelessly defending his clients.

If you have any questions about this article or you would like to talk to Mr. Nahal, please call him directly at (604) 527-4769.