The chance that two parents, either together or separated, jointly sexually violated their young daughter is a unique circumstance, according to an experienced family counselor.

Diana Williams' job is to go into the homes of troubled families and provide support, care and counseling.

She is a care manager with Peninsula Community Mental Health Center.

"We deal with all types of abuse; physical, neglect, emotional maltreatment and sexual," she said.

"But I've not seen anything like this. It's difficult to say it could have been stopped earlier, because we don't know details of the behavior of those involved."

Williams was speaking about a Sequim couple charged with sexually molesting and raping their daughter, among other charges related to child pornography.

"The key to intercepting these actions after they begin - rather than letting them continue for years, which it seems happened in this case - is to have a community aware of what to look for in a troubled child," she said.

"There are telltale signs that can lead to someone making a report."

Williams said reporting a suspicious situation to Child Protective Services is a necessary action to stop abuse early on.

"While teachers, social workers and medical practitioners are required to report cases of child abuse, the public can go both ways," she said.

"Many people are afraid they will cause harm to the family, but that isn't the case."

Williams said if things are going well in the home, a report will be dismissed. But if things are not going well, the report could mean the difference in a child's development.

"The outcome of the child really depends on how long the abuse lasts, its frequency, its extent and their age," she said, indicating incest can have the worst outcome.

Williams said the fact the officer believed the child and that things were changed once she stepped forward is a big positive in the case.

"What's insult to injury is when people don't believe children when they make reports," she said. "That has consequences on their ability to recover."

As for the parents, Peter Casey at Peninsula Community Mental Health Center said it is difficult to determine their justifications without further investigation into their behavior.

"But generally it's fairly common that people who are abusive were abused themselves as children," Casey said.

The Mental Health Center provides behavioral counseling and chemical dependency treatment and is located in Port Angeles at 118 E. Eighth St. and can be reached at 457-0431.