Sibling sexual abuse: why don't we talk about it?

Yates, Peter

doi:10.1111/jocn.13531

Cited by 41 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…Yet the assumption is always that these are abusive relationships, and that the adult takes advantage of his authority and the child’s trust in him to perpetrate the abuse. Conversely, it is commonly assumed in the clinical and scientific literature that SSA, which usually takes place between two minors, is motivated by sexual curiosity, which may be inappropriate but is not abusive (Yates, 2017) and therefore relatively less severe. This assumption, however, does not necessarily represent the experience of the survivors themselves (Krienert & Walsh, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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“I Love and Hate Him in the Same Breath”: Relationships of Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse With Their Perpetrating Siblings

Tener

2019

J Interpers Violence

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The term sibling sexual abuse (SSA) captures a broad continuum of sexual behaviors in childhood and adolescence that exceed the threshold of age-appropriate curiosity. Based on a sample of 15 adult survivors of SSA, this qualitative study examines experiences of relationships with perpetrating siblings during childhood and adulthood. Thematic analysis of semistructured qualitative interviews reveals two continua that characterize SSA survivors’ lives: the “reciprocity–coercion” continuum in childhood and the “distance–closeness” continuum in adulthood. Findings reveal that regardless of how the relationships were perceived in childhood, most participants chose to distance themselves from their perpetrating siblings as adults. Thus, even in cases where the relationships were considered mutual during childhood, reconceptualization of the abuse in adulthood led to renewed understanding of its meanings and implications for the survivors’ personal lives. Research findings underscore the need to further study the experiences of SSA survivors to better inform policy makers, therapists, and welfare workers, to address the complex and multifaceted nature of SSA, and to provide adequate interventions to survivors and other family members.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Yet the ability to categorize sexual behavior as exceeding developmental norms is compromised by lack of clarity around the definition of “normal” (Yates, 2017). The literature applied three criteria to distinguish SSA from age-appropriate sexual behaviors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“I Love and Hate Him in the Same Breath”: Relationships of Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse With Their Perpetrating Siblings

Tener

2019

J Interpers Violence

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“…Prevalence of CSA varies due to the wide span of reporting techniques, the multi‐definitional use of sexual abuse, the lack of disclosure due to the silencing of victims, the stigma it carries, and the way in which the abuse is measured. However, it is identified within the literature that the true prevalence of CSA is far greater than is currently recognized (Alaggia, Collin‐Vézina, & Lateef, 2019; Yates, 2016). Multiple negative sequelae have been associated with a history of CSA across the lifespan.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental health nurses’ perceived preparedness to work with adults who have child sexual abuse histories

Kennedy

Morrissey

Donohue

2020

Psychiatric Ment Health Nurs

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Accessible summary What is known on the subject? The high prevalence of adults presenting to the mental health services places mental health nurses (MHNs) in a unique position to help to identify and support the person with the associated challenges of child sexual abuse (CSA). Feelings of discomfort have been identified by mental health nurses (MHNs) when working with survivors of CSA due to a lack of knowledge, poor confidence and feeling unprepared to inquire and respond to such a sensitive topic. What does the study add to existing knowledge? MHNs are willing to engage in CSA dialogue; however, the level of engagement is often conditional with clear parameters set by participants. Whilst all participants reported they were willing to engage in conversation initiated by the service user, some were unwilling to listen to details of the CSA and used strategies to censor service users from providing details of the CSA. What are the implications for practice? Whilst self‐protecting boundaries helped MHNs to engage in CSA dialogue, strategies to censor aspects of the service user’s dialogue may reinforce the belief that their experience of CSA is too shameful to talk about, hence denying the reality of their experience and contributing to feelings of re‐shaming. MHNs need a combination of theoretical knowledge and psychosocial skills to achieve clinical competence when working with CSA; therefore, training should not only include information pertaining to facts and statistics but also case presentations, clinical training and supervision. Clinical supervision was highlighted by all participants as a necessary means of formal support, more specifically group clinical supervision whereby peer support can also be availed of in a formalized setting. Abstract IntroductionThe high prevalence of adults presenting to the mental health services places mental health nurses (MHNs) in a unique position to support the person with the associated challenges of CSA, yet little is known about the preparedness of MHNs to work with this client population. AimTo explore MHNs’ perceived preparedness to work with adults who have CSA histories, and to elicit their views, skills and confidence in relation to working with this sensitive issue. MethodIn‐depth semi‐structured interviews were conducted with five consenting MHNs. A qualitative descriptive methodology informed the study. A thematic analysis framework guided the data analysis. ResultsThe findings assert that MHNs are willing to work with survivors of CSA despite feeling unprepared to so, MHNs described feeling ill‐prepared in how to respond to CSA, calling for not just education and training specific to CSA but also citing the need for clinical supervision and additional guidelines to enhance their preparedness. DiscussionResults of this study further highlighted the omission of CSA within nursing curricula and the absence of role models within clinical practice as a major barrier to preparedness to work with survivors of CSA. Recommendations are made for training, e...

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“…While the SSA literature is mostly based on statistical-demographic analyses and the points of view of adults intervening after disclosure, including law enforcement and welfare officials, this study is unique in bringing the perceptions of the siblings themselves as recorded by the CPO in the unique situation of the encounter at the CAC, and the different ways these perceptions can be transformed. The siblings’ perspectives are of major importance in understanding the construction of the phenomenon and the dynamics of disclosure, as it is well known that voluntary disclosure is rare in SSA cases (e.g., Yates, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Victim, Perpetrator, or Just My Brother?” Sibling Sexual Abuse in Large Families: A Child Advocacy Center Study

Tener

Tarshish

Turgeman³

2017

J Interpers Violence

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Sibling sexual abuse (SSA) is a continuum of childhood sexual behaviors that do not fit the category of age-appropriate curiosity. Although SSA may be the most prevalent and longest lasting form of intrafamilial sexual abuse-as well as the one with the worst repercussions-it is also the least reported, studied, and treated. Based on 100 mostly religious Jewish families referred to a child advocacy center (CAC) in Jerusalem from 2010 to 2015, this qualitative study examines SSA characteristics, dynamics, and perceptions of deviancy in multisibling subsystems. The findings are based on an analysis of case summaries, demographic charts, and documented conversations between social workers and siblings. Qualitative document analysis reveals two types of SSA dynamics: "identified perpetrator" and "routine relationship," the latter being a particularly understudied dynamic that challenges common stereotypes. We also found sibling perceptions of deviancy to vary along a continuum from deviant to completely normative. These perceptions are affected by the type of dynamics as well as by factors associated with disclosure. Our findings highlight the importance of studying the lived experiences of children involved in SSA as an input with critical policy, treatment, and research implications. Interventions must be adjusted to the family system and sibling subsystem's perceptions and needs to avoid treatment that exacerbates the crisis already experienced by the family. Common assumptions-there must be a "perpetrator"; abuse is necessarily traumatic; and treatment should focus on the trauma-are challenged by the routine type. We conclude that treatment should account for the complexity of SSA by shedding these assumptions and considering the sibling subsystem as an autonomous unit within the large family.

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Sibling sexual abuse: why don't we talk about it?

Cited by 41 publications

References 74 publications

“I Love and Hate Him in the Same Breath”: Relationships of Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse With Their Perpetrating Siblings

“I Love and Hate Him in the Same Breath”: Relationships of Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse With Their Perpetrating Siblings

Mental health nurses’ perceived preparedness to work with adults who have child sexual abuse histories

“Victim, Perpetrator, or Just My Brother?” Sibling Sexual Abuse in Large Families: A Child Advocacy Center Study

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