Citation

Alpert JL. J. Aggression Maltreat. Trauma 1997; 1(1): 263-275.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J146v01n01_14

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Although sex play is a part of normal childhood development, some sexual activity may be coerced or forced and may have negative long-term consequences and, thus, be considered abusive. However, childhood sexual abuse perpetrated by siblings, cousins, or peers receives relatively little attention form either researchers or practitioners. In the present article, the literature on sibling child sexual abuse is critically reviewed, and particular attention is focused on defining sibling sexual abuse, and determining its scope and effects. Clinical implications are derived as well. Although the article focuses on sibling sexual abuse, the concepts considered here also apply to other forms of same-age (or near same-age) child sexual relationships.