Themes of Adult Sibling Sexual Abuse Survivors in Later Life: An Initial Exploration

Abstract

This paper examines the thematic treatment issues presented in a small, clinical practice setting by eight women aged 56 through 69 who were sexually abused by their brothers/stepbrothers during childhood and seeking therapy for issues dealing with a terminally ill and/or dying parent. The reemergence of traumatic issues and family dynamics with aging parents and end-of-life-issues, dealing with a previously abusive brother, and treatment recommendations on managing reactions, affect, and boundaries are presented.

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

“…Popular myths concerning SSA include assumptions of normality, harmlessness, and mutuality, but these have been challenged by recent research (e.g., Ballantine, 2012; Tapara, 2012). According to these studies, the psychological implications of SSA may be at least as severe as the implications of other types of intrafamilial sexual abuse and may be felt throughout the survivors’ life span (Cyr et al, 2002; Monahan, 2010; Rudd & Herzberger, 1999; see Tapara, 2012, for a review).…”

“…The literature presents several types of SSA dynamics, ranging from mutual to coercive (Canavan, Meyer, & Higgs, 1992), and emphasizes the gradual nature of some, which may start as mutual games and gradually escalate to abusive sexual acts (Ballantine, 2012; Carlson, Maciol, & Schneider, 2006). Yet, so far, only few studies have explored SSA survivors’ subjective experiences with their perpetrating siblings, and the way these relationships are constructed and perceived during childhood (Laviola, 1992; McDonald & Martinez, 2017) and adulthood (Monahan, 2010). The current study aims to fill that gap by exploring adult SSA survivors’ experiences of their relationships with the perpetrating siblings during childhood and adulthood.…”

Attentional Bias for Sexual Threat Among Sexual Victimization Survivors

“…SV remains common and constitutes a significant public health concern in the United States and around the world. Recent estimates suggest that in the United States, 25–35% of women and 12–20% of men experience sexual abuse during childhood (Monahan, 2010), and 44.6% of women and 22.2% of men experience some form of SV during their lifetime (Black et al, 2011). In response to these statistics, the White House recently released an updated set of recommendations intended to combat sexual violence on college campuses, an environment in which SV is especially common.…”

From My Own Brother in My Own Home: Children’s Experiences and Perceptions Following Alleged Sibling Incest

“…Clinically, studies have pointed to therapeutic challenges when contending with sibling incest (Ballantine, 2012; Caffaro & Conn-Caffaro, 2005; Monahan, 2010; Thompson, 2009); this area of study has highlighted the importance of family intervention (Bass, Taylor, Knudson-Martin, & Huenergardt, 2006; Phillips-Green, 2002) and the difficulties encountered by families following the removal and placement of the offenders or victims outside the home (Hargett, 1998). In light of the children’s perceptions and experiences in the current study with respect to the family dynamic, it is especially important to further assess the way this challenge can be addressed, especially when there is still a lack of information with respect to the motivation for the abuse, as well as for mutuality in the siblings’ relationship.…”