Some stories stop you mid sentence, not because they are romantic, but because they challenge everything we assume about family, boundaries and choice. This is one of those stories. It is unsettling, complex and deeply controversial, and it raises difficult questions that go far beyond the individuals involved.
a relationship that stunned the public
John Deaves and his daughter Jenny lived in Australia when their story became public. What shocked many was not only the nature of their relationship, but the fact that they spoke about it openly. They were not using metaphors or vague language. They described themselves as a couple.
According to their own accounts, the story began after years of separation. Family circumstances had kept them apart for a long time. When they reconnected as adults around the year 2000, neither expected their bond to change in such a drastic way. Yet over time, their reunion turned into an emotional relationship and eventually a romantic one.
At the time, both were married and had families of their own. John was in his third marriage, while Jenny was raising three children. What followed would not only dismantle their personal lives, but also provoke public outrage and legal consequences.
the idea of ‘genetic sexual attraction’
The case was discussed publicly in the Australian programme 60 Minutes Australia, where the concept of so called ‘genetic sexual attraction’ was mentioned. This term has been used by some psychologists to describe a rare phenomenon in which close relatives, reunited after long separation, experience intense emotional or physical attraction in adulthood.
It is important to note that this concept remains controversial and is not formally recognised as a diagnosis. Organisations such as the American Psychological Association have repeatedly stressed that such explanations do not justify behaviour that causes harm or breaks the law.
Jenny herself described a gradual shift in perception. She explained that she began to see her father not only as a parent, but as an individual who showed care and attention. That reframing, she said, changed how she felt. Her words sparked intense debate about vulnerability, power dynamics and responsibility.
a shocking outcome and legal reality
The situation escalated quickly. John later admitted that he had told his wife about the affair. The couple went on to live together and had two children. One of those children died shortly after birth, adding another layer of tragedy to an already disturbing story.
Eight years later, the relationship ended. By then, the damage was irreversible. Courts became involved, as incestuous relationships are illegal in Australia, even when both parties claim consent. The law is clear on this point, designed to protect individuals and prevent abuse within families.
Cases like this often resurface online, shared with a mix of fascination and disbelief. I remember overhearing a conversation on a train where strangers debated whether such relationships could ever be understood. The silence that followed said more than the arguments themselves.
beyond shock, uncomfortable questions remain
This story is not about romance in the conventional sense. It is about boundaries, trauma and the limits of personal freedom. While John and Jenny chose to speak publicly, their account does not erase the broader ethical and legal issues involved.
Experts consistently warn against framing such cases as love stories. Doing so risks minimising the serious consequences and the harm such relationships can cause, particularly within families.
In the end, this remains a deeply troubling example of how complicated human relationships can become when lines are crossed. It is a reminder that some taboos exist not out of tradition, but out of protection.
