The fathers descriptions of the first sexual approach suggested that their misinterpretation of what the daughter was thinking frequently stemmed from the subtlety of their actions - the timing, the touch, the eye contact are all explicitly calculated so as to not elicit an overt negative response on the part of the child.

Because the daughters experienced confusion and disbelief they were hesitant to react. They mistrusted their interpretation of the events.

Any overt act on the part of the child caused the father to pull back or withdraw - that is, until another opportunity was found.

It is possible that the subtle start on the part of the fathers inhibited the children from telling anyone.

The daughters reported not knowing if it was a “slip of the hand or an intentional touch.”