Harmful sexual behaviours towards siblings

Investigators

Douglas Russell, Dr Sebastian Trew, Gabrielle Hunt and Professor Daryl Higgins (Institute of Child Protection Studies); Jessica Dickson (Library and Academic Research Services); Australian Catholic University

Funding

Bravehearts Foundation, through a Westpac grant

Aims

To understand risk and protective factors regarding harmful sexual behaviour among siblings, responses to disclosure, and therapeutic or other responses to cases of sibling sexual abuse.

Research questions:

• What are the risk and protective factors for perpetration or victimisation of sibling-based harmful sexual behaviour that should be the focus of interventions?
• What are the characteristics of disclosure of families discovering harm between siblings?
• What are the therapeutic responses or other interventions for victims and those who demonstrate sibling-based harmful sexual behaviour?

Background

There is very little knowledge of the extent of harmful sexual behaviour among siblings, also referred to as sibling abuse. As a consequence, access to treatment and interventions is limited. The issue is compounded by stigma and barriers to disclosure for victims when harmful sexual behaviour is displayed.

Project details

We conducted a systematic review of studies of children (both victims and perpetrators of sibling-based harmful sexual behaviour), adult survivors of childhood sibling sexual abuse, affected family members, and professionals such as teachers, health and social care workers. These studies were Australian and international and focused on siblings aged 18 and under, including biological, adoptive, step or foster siblings, and children who have grown up or lived together such as cousins.

Key findings

• Harmful sexual behaviour was most commonly displayed by male siblings with histories of abuse, learning disabilities, and exposure to family conflict, violence, and disadvantage.
• Rates of disclosure to parents were low, with many victims (most commonly female) not disclosing until adulthood.
• Parents and some professionals often responded poorly by minimising and disbelieving victimised children or believing maintaining the sibling relationship was the most important consideration.

Recommended next steps

More research is needed on harmful sexual abuse among siblings. Early detection and prevention are paramount to improve outcomes for children and young people, and their families. Professionals working in sectors such as social work, education, health, and mental health need to be aware of the risk and protective factors, disclosure patterns, and appropriate responses to harmful sexual abuse among siblings in order to provide effective support.

This research highlights the need for more awareness-raising and education for parents to address the issue of harmful sexual abuse among siblings in families, reduce stigma and barriers to disclosure for victims, and facilitate access to treatment and intervention.

Links

Bravehearts Foundation

Publications

Russell, D. H., Trew, S., Hunt, G., Dickson, J., & Higgins, D. J. (2023). The risk and protective factors, response to disclosure, and interventions for sibling sexual abuse: A systematic review © Australian Catholic University 2023. https://doi.org/10.26199/acu.906qz

Project timeline

2021-2023

Contact

For more information contact icps@acu.edu.au.