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Abstract
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AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore two hypotheses for explaining why there is little written about sibling sexual abuse and to raise awareness of the subject in order better to protect children and to facilitate sensitive patient care.
BACKGROUND: While there is no universal agreement over its definition, sibling sexual abuse is acknowledged internationally as a prevalent form of child sexual abuse but tends not to be recognised by health professionals. It is also under-represented within the literature in comparison to other forms of intrafamilial sexual abuse. Understanding why this is may help to illuminate the potential barriers to effective professional responses. Two explanations which emerge strongly are the existence of a sibling incest taboo and a prevailing belief that sibling sexual behaviour is largely harmless.
DESIGN: Discursive position paper.
METHOD: The paper examines the two hypotheses through exploration of the extant literature on sibling incest and sibling sexual abuse.
CONCLUSIONS: Sibling sexual abuse accounts for a significant minority of child sexual abuse and has the potential to be as harmful as sexual abuse by a parent. An abhorrence at the thought of sibling sexual activity and a prevailing view of its harmlessness may hinder nurses' detection of and appropriate responses to sibling sexual abuse, but do not provide convincing explanations for the dearth of literature. Instead, a deeply-held perspective of sibling relationships as non-abusive offers a more profound explanation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Language: en |