Mackenzie Phillips' Revelation Urges More Confessions

Actress Bijou Phillips, Mackenzie Phillips’ half-sister, says she knew Mackenzie had consensual sex with their father, Mamas and the Papas leader John Phillips.

Photo: Mackenzie Phillips' Revelation Urges More Confessions

Friday in a statement read by Oprah Winfrey on her talk show, Bijou Phillips says she was 13 years old when Mackenzie Phillips told her about the sexual relationship.

Bijou Phillips is now 29 and says the news was confusing and scary. She also says it was "heartbreaking" to think that her family would leave her alone with her father.

Appearing as a guest on the same episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," Mackenzie Phillips said their father "had changed his ways as much as he was able to" and she felt Bijou Phillips was safe, Chicago Tribune reports.

It was also reported, Mackenzie Phillips, famous in family name and “One Day At a Time”, launched her new book on the Oprah Show on Wednesday and appears again today. Her revelation was heavy and her book sales will redeem her debts, but hopefully not motivate a relapse with expensive medications.

Mackenzies’ relationship with father fame is there for all to behold and she has every right to reveal and explain. As awkward as the subject is to some, this story will touch many. But I worry about her.

There will be family discussions about this for many reasons, if only innocent questions when children see the story. Take it from there, though. To some an innocent question, to many a reality, Kansas City Star reports.

In the meantime, Mackenzie Phillips' candid confession has forced the uncomfortable issue of incest into the public limelight.

Since Phillips' public admission this week, the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) has reported a 26 percent jump in its hotline calls and an 83 percent increase in traffic on its Web site.

It is not unusual for such a public confession to spur others to seek help, said Ajia Meux, a supervisor at RAINN, which is based in Washington, D.C., ABC News reports.