Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-pjpqr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-21T01:25:35.139Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

More than just child’s play: A study on sibling incest

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 February 2016

Nicole Owen*
Affiliation:
the Sexual Assault Program at the Logan Women’s Health Centre, PO Box 788, Woodridge, Qld 4114. Tel: (07) 3808 9233 Fax: (07) 3808 9657 Email: nicoleo@lwhc@lrvnet.org.au

Abstract

This article outlines some of the findings of a study of ten women who experienced sibling incest as children. Using qualitative research methods, this study explores the nature of the sibling incest relationship, how the incest occurred, the family environment, the effects suffered and the participants’ experience of intervention. For the majority of women, the effects of unwanted sibling incest were similar to the effects of parent-child incest. The participants provided important perspectives on both intervention and prevention strategies that would assist with the problem of sibling incest.

This study aims to link the perspective of those who have experienced sibling incest with some implications for professional practice.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1998

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abrahams, J. & Hoey, H. (1994) ‘Sibling incest in a clergy family: A case study’, Child Abuse and Neglect, 18 (12), Dec, pp. 10291035.Google Scholar
Amato, P. (1987) Children in Australian Families: The Growth of Competence, Prentice Hill, Sydney.Google Scholar
Arens, W. (1986) The Original Sin: Incest and its Meaning, New York, Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Canavan, M., Meyer, W. & Higgs, D. (1992) ‘The female experience of sibling incest’, Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, Vol.18, No.2, pp. 129142.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cavanagh Johnson, T. (1998) Understanding Children’s Sexual Behaviours: What’s Natural and Healthy (booklet).Google Scholar
Daie, N., Witztum, E. & Eleff, M. (1989) ‘Long-term effects of sibling incest’, Journal of Clinical Psychology, 50:11, November, pp.428432.Google ScholarPubMed
De Jong, A.R. (1989) ‘Sexual interactions among siblings and cousins: Experimentation or exploitation?’, Child Abuse and Neglect, Vol.13, pp.271279.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dunn, J. & Kendrick, C. (1982) Siblings. Love, Envy and Understanding, Grant McIntyre Ltd, London.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Finkelhor, D. (1979) Sexually Victimized Children, Free Press, New York.Google Scholar
Finkelhor, D. et al. (1990) ‘Sexual abuse in a national survey of adult men and women: Prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors’, Child Abuse and Neglect, Vol.14, pp. 1928.Google Scholar
Flanagan, K. & Patterson, J. (1996) ‘Working with sibling incest: Maintaining the balance’, Children Australia, Vol.21, No.2, pp.1216.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldman, R. & Goldman, J. (1988) ‘The prevalence and nature of child sexual abuse in Australia’, Australian Journal of Sex, Marriage and Family, 9:2, pp.94106.Google Scholar
Hellesnes, M. (1998) Sibling incest may seriously damage your mental health, Lecture to the 12th International Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, Auckland, Sept. 1998.Google Scholar
Justice, B. & Justice, R. (1979) The Broken Taboo: Sex in the family, New York, Human Sciences Press.Google Scholar
Laviola, M. (1992) ‘Effects of older brother – younger sister incest: A study of the dynamics of 17 cases’, Child Abuse and Neglect, Vol. 16, pp.409421 Google Scholar
O’Brien, M. (1991) ‘Taking sibling incest seriously’, in Family Sexual Abuse – Frontline Research and Evaluation, ed Patton, M., Sage Publications, Newbury Park, pp.7592.Google Scholar
Patton, W. & Mannison, M. (1996) ‘Unwanted sexual experiences during childhood’, Children Australia, Vol.21, No.2.Google Scholar
Smith, H. & Israel, E. (1987) ‘Sibling incest: A study of the dynamics of 25 cases’, Child Abuse and Neglect, Vol.11, pp.101108 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Solomon, J. (1992) ‘Child sexual abuse by family members: A radical feminist perspective’, Sex Roles, Vol.27, Nos.9/10, pp.473485.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thornton, A. (1990) ‘The courtship process and adolescent sexuality’, Journal of Family Issues, Vol. 11, No. 3, September, pp.239273.Google Scholar
Wiehe, V. (1990) Sibling Incest. Hidden Physical, Emotional and Sexual Trauma, Lexington Books, New York.Google Scholar
Yegidis, B. & Weinbach, R. (1991) Research Methods for Social Workers, Longman, New York.Google Scholar