Abuse at the heart of the family: The challenges and complexities of sibling sexual abuse

Yates, Peter; Allardyce, Stuart

Abstract

Sibling sexual abuse is estimated to be the most common form of intra-familial sexual abuse, yet remains an under-researched phenomenon. It raises challenges for practitioners to recognise the abuse and to balance the competing and often conflicting needs of the children in the family. This chapter reviews the relevant literature and outlines future directions for research and practice, arguing for a whole family approach that maintains a child developmental perspective rather than responses derived from adult sex offending, and the particular significance of understanding sibling relationships.

Citation

Yates, P., & Allardyce, S. (2022). Abuse at the heart of the family: The challenges and complexities of sibling sexual abuse. In K. Uzieblo, W. J. Smid, & K. McCartan (Eds.), Challenges in the Management of People Convicted of a Sexual Offence: A Way Forward (51-64). Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80212-7_4

• Acceptance Date: Jan 28, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jan 1, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022
• Deposit Date: Feb 3, 2021
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Pages: 51-64
• Series Title: Palgrave studies in risk, crime and society
• Book Title: Challenges in the Management of People Convicted of a Sexual Offence: A Way Forward
• ISBN: 978-3-030-80211-0
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80212-7_4
• Keywords: Siblings, Sibling abuse, Child sexual abuse, Child protection, Incest
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2719443