Sibling Incest Dynamics: Therapeutic Themes and Clinical Challenges

Abstract

Increasing empirical evidence points to the prevalence and devastating effects of sibling incest. The dynamics of incestuous sibling relationships are complex and typically embedded in severely dysfunctional families. Often confused and/or distressed by their incestuous experiences, many victims fail to disclose the abuse. Left undisclosed and untreated, unresolved issues of mutuality and consequent shame and guilt can lead to life-long emotional problems and dysfunctional behavioral patterns that are difficult to repair. Two cases illustrate common therapeutic themes, the importance of timely disclosure and coordinated, multi-dimensional treatment approaches, as well as the therapeutic challenges of assisting sibling incest victims who present for treatment as adults.

Lessons learned from child sexual abuse research: prevalence, outcomes, and preventive strategies

“…CSA experiences vary greatly over multiple dimensions including, but not limited to: duration, frequency, intrusiveness of acts perpetrated, and relationship with perpetrator. Although sexual activity between children has long been thought to be harmless, child on child CSA experiences, such as those involving siblings, is increasingly being recognized as detrimental for the emotional well-being of children as adult on child CSA [5-7]. While adult-to-child interactions in which the purpose is sexual gratification are considered abusive, sexual behaviours between children are less clear-cut as there is no universal definition of sexual abuse that differentiates it from normal sex play and exploration [8].…”

Best practice guidelines for health service professionals who receive initial disclosures of sibling sexual abuse

“…As generational boundaries are not crossed, and there is generally a smaller age difference between siblings than between an adult perpetrator and a child victim, confusion can arise regarding whether SSA is indeed abuse (Canavan et al 1992;Ballantine 2012). As the individuals involved are either children or youths, abusive behaviour may be inaccurately perceived as benign exploratory sexual behaviour (Ballantine 2012); however, within a power and control analysis SSA does constitute a form of child sexual abuse.…”

“…As the individuals involved are either children or youths, abusive behaviour may be inaccurately perceived as benign exploratory sexual behaviour (Ballantine 2012); however, within a power and control analysis SSA does constitute a form of child sexual abuse. SSA involves the misuse of power and control by one person to exploit another person for sexual gratification (Dyhrberg 2002) and enforce secrecy surrounding the abuse (Phillips-Green 2002).…”

“…SSA often involves the use of coercion, force and threat to create and maintain secrecy around the abuse (DeJong 1989;James & MacKinnon 1990;Canavan et al 1992;Laviola 1992;Adler & Schutz 1995;Rudd & Herzberger 1999;Hardy 2001;Carlson et al 2006;Ballantine 2012), the use of which precludes genuine consent being given by the victim. A greater level of verbal threat and physical force is employed by brothers who sexually abuse their sisters compared to other intrafamilial abusers (Adler & Schutz 1995;Rudd & Herzberger 1999), with some girls reluctant to fight back against physical force due to the fear of further physical abuse (Laviola 1992).…”

Assessing Risk of Victim Crossover with Children and Young People who display Harmful Sexual Behaviours

“…Brother‐sister incest is the most common pairing (Adler and Schutz, ) and the respective age of the children is also quite typical (Adler and Schutz, ; Carlson et al ., ; Cyr et al ., ). Kevin's abuse could be understood within the context of highly dysfunctional family dynamics including domestic violence and extra‐marital affairs (Adler and Schutz, ; Ballantine, ; Hardy, ; Latzman et al ., ; Laviola, ; Loredo, ; Salazar et al ., ; Smith and Israel, ; Worling, ), a lack of supervision (Bank and Kahn, ; Sgroi, ) and an exposure to pornography (Kambouridis, ; Latzman et al ., ). Most studies of sibling sexual abuse focus on the victim or the perpetrator rather than the relationship between the siblings (Bass et al ., ).…”