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Abstract
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VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this article by Abrahams and Hoey was to discuss the case study of a female adult survivor of sibling incest in a clergy family. Details of the impact of sibling incest on the survivor, the family dynamics associated with sibling incest, and the survivor's account of inappropriate professional care were presented.
METHODOLOGY:
The authors presented a non-experimental case study of a sibling incest survivor followed by a discussion of the case.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
The authors stated that although father-daughter incest is now recognized for its harmful effects, the incidence of sibling incest has not been acknowledged to the same extent. In reaction to this, the authors presented the case study of an adult survivor of sibling incest to illustrate the devastating effects of sibling incest victimization.
A history of the victim was provided. The authors explained that the victim, the middle child of three in a clergy family, had been sexually abused by her older brother since she was 8 years of age. The victim's father was a Christian church clergyman, and her mother held the positions of housewife and mother and was actively engaged with the church. The authors stated that the sibling incest incidents commenced when the father's church responsibilities began to take him away from the home at nights, and the mother was left to sole parent the children. The authors reported that the older brother initiated all incidents of sexual abuse. The sexual abuse continued for a period of four years and included digital penetration, oral stimulation, and failed attempts at penile penetration. During this period, neither parent was aware that sexual abuse was occurring. The brother was reported by the authors to be an average achiever at school and seemingly well-adjusted socially. The authors stated that the family's transferral to another town, the design of the new home, a boarder in the house, the younger sister growing up, and the father at home more often, contributed to the cessation of the abuse. The victim became more assertive with the offender, and the abuse ended.
The authors reported that the victim of the sexual abuse struggled to complete her education and experienced difficulty with interpersonal relationships. This led her to seek psychotherapy with male psychiatrists. Unsuccessful therapy with two "uninterested" male psychiatrists led the victim to seek psychotherapy with a female psychiatrist who had a special interest in treating survivors of child sexual abuse. This treatment proved to be successful. The victim attributed the success of the therapy to the understanding and caring nature of the psychiatrist and the unraveling of her own emotions associated with the sexual abuse. The victim reported that, although she was not always supported by therapists, disclosure of the incidents of sexual abuse had been of benefit. The victim disclosed the abusive incidents to her family and approached various members of the church's hierarchy. The victim stated that neither gave her support. The authors reported that the victim was convinced that she had been transformed into a survivor of sexual abuse.
The authors discussed issues regarding the abusive relationship involved in child sexual abuse and stated that sexual abuse can still be damaging without the presence of physically violent behavior. The authors examined the notion of victim as survivor and stated that the victim role is learned and understood by the victim as the only appropriate way to live. The authors posited that cognitive intervention, validation of the victim's experiences, and an understanding and empathic therapist provided the positive impact necessary to enable the victim to live life successfully.
The authors reported that the family dynamics that contributed to the incidence of sibling incest in this study included: a) an absent father, b) an emotionally inaccessible mother as sole parent, c) a lack of sex education within the family, and d) a socially isolated family. The authors also discussed the reluctance of the church to accept that intrafamilial sexual abuse occurs within some clergy families. The authors concluded by stating that sibling incest has a serious negative impact on the lives of the victims and must be recognized.
AUTHORS' RECOMMENDATIONS:
The authors recommended: 1) that the incidence of sibling incest be recognized by professionals as having a serious negative impact on victims, 2) that the silence of intrafamilial sexual abuse within clergy families be broken so that victims of child sexual abuse may be granted emotional freedom, and 3) that medical professionals (e.g., psychiatrists) acknowledge the seriousness of all forms of childhood sexual abuse. Appropriate therapeutic strategies may then be implemented to treat those who suffer the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse in adulthood.
(CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)
Childhood Experience
Childhood Victimization
Case Studies
Adult Female
Adult Survivor
Child Victim
Child Female
Child Sexual Abuse Effects
Child Sexual Abuse Victim
Child Sexual Abuse Treatment
Child Abuse Victim
Child Abuse Effects
Child Abuse Treatment
Adult Treatment
Incest Effects
Incest Victim
Incest Treatment
Sexual Assault Treatment
Sexual Assault Effects
Sexual Assault Victim
Sibling Incest
Sibling Violence Effects
Sibling Violence Treatment
Sibling Violence Victim
Domestic Violence Effects
Domestic Violence Treatment
Domestic Violence Victim
Victim Treatment
Long-Term Effects
Psychological Victimization Effects
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