Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBasic FactsSigns to Watch ForRisk FactorsPreventionImpactsIf It’s Suspected
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Basic Facts
Signs to Watch For
Risk Factors
Prevention
Impacts
If It’s Suspected
Although sibling sexual abuse is a commonly-occurring form ofchildhood sexual abuse, it tends to be less discussed.Some parents try to explain it away as normal childhood curiosity, but it’s a harmful form of control that can leave victims feeling frightened and alone.
If you’re a parent or guardian, it’s important to learn the facts about sibling sexual abuse and the signs to watch for. We also discuss the risk factors, impact, and steps you can take to prevent this type of abuse, as well as how to respond if you suspect that sibling sexual abuse has occurred.
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Facts About Sibling Sexual Abuse
Here are some facts about sexual abuse between siblings that it is important to know.
Sibling Sexual Abuse is Common
Sibling sexual abuse is also not limited to certain types of families—it can happen in many different kinds of households. Siblings can be biological or they may be adopted, foster, stepchildren, or other non-related children residing in the same home.
Sibling Sexual Abuse Is Underreported
In some cases, the victimized sibling does go to a parent and it is the parent who fails to report the abuse to authorities. Reasons for this failure to report include:
There’s a Difference Between Sexual Curiosity and Abuse
Sibling Sexual Abuse Is About Power
Offending siblings may then use this power to satisfy themselves, regardless of theimpact of the sexual traumaon their younger or less developmentally-advanced family members.
Offenders Are Often Older Male Siblings, But Not Always
In most sibling sexual abuse cases, the perpetrator is an older brother with the victim being a younger sister.Although, this isn’t always the case, making it important to understand that sexual abuse can and does occur between all types of siblings, regardless of age differences or gender.
Signs of Sibling Sexual Abuse
Recognizing the signs of sibling sexual abuse is critical to addressing this issue, especially when so many victims fail to disclose. In some cases, the signs are physical, including the child reporting abdominal pain with no known cause, genital pain or bleeding, reoccurring urinary tract infections, or incontinence.
If the child is having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If they are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If the child is having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If they are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Risk Factors for Sibling Sexual Abuse
Because kids don’t often report sibling sexual abuse and parents may dismiss, deny, or overlook it, it is difficult for psychologists and other experts to fully understand why it happens and what factors contribute to this type of abuse.
Some factors that may influence or increase the risk of sibling sexual abuse include:
RecapA range of factors— including age differences, lack of supervision, and past sexual abuse—can all play a role in sibling sexual abuse risk.
Recap
A range of factors— including age differences, lack of supervision, and past sexual abuse—can all play a role in sibling sexual abuse risk.
Preventing Sibling Sexual Abuse
Giving your children the care and attention they need can help prevent sibling sexual abuse. Some steps you can take to reduce the risk include:
Impacts of Sibling Sexual Abuse
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can contact theRAINN National Sexual Assault Hotlineat 1-800-656-4673 to receive confidential support from a trained staff member at a local RAINN affiliate.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can contact theRAINN National Sexual Assault Hotlineat 1-800-656-4673 to receive confidential support from a trained staff member at a local RAINN affiliate.
Implications for the Abuser
One reason that sibling sexual abuse is underreported is that doing so has the potential to disrupt the family dynamic. Reporting the abuse may lead to the temporary removal of the child perpetrator from the home, also sometimes resulting in contact with police and entry into the criminal justice system.
Although it can be difficult, it is important for parents and caregivers to take the appropriate steps to ensure that all of the children involved in sibling sexual abuse get the treatment and support that they need.
RecapWhilereporting sexual abusecan be upsetting and frightening, it is important to believe victims and report the abuse so the appropriate actions can be taken.
Whilereporting sexual abusecan be upsetting and frightening, it is important to believe victims and report the abuse so the appropriate actions can be taken.
If Sibling Sexual Abuse is Suspected
If you suspect that sibling sexual abuse has occurred, orif your child has told you it has happened, take these steps to ensure that your children get the help they need.
Although it can be difficult for parents to wrap their heads around one of their children potentially abusing the other, this situation is not something that should ever be ignored. Sexual abuse is a crime. Both the victim and the perpetrator need your attention.
Perpetrators need to be held accountable for their actions, and they also need treatment to ensure that they do not harm any other children. Other children in the home or family who were not involved may also need treatment.
RecapIf sibling sexual abuse is discovered, it is imperative for parents to take action so all children involved get the help they need.
If sibling sexual abuse is discovered, it is imperative for parents to take action so all children involved get the help they need.
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Considerations and Handling the Situation
While sexual curiosity in children is normal and all kids engage in the exploration of their anatomy, there is a difference between normal exploration and sexual contact which is abusive, coercive, and exploitative.
Talking to your children about what is appropriate, helping them understand and enforce boundaries, and keeping an open line of communication soyour child feels comfortable talking to youare important steps for preventing sexual abuse.
It is normal to feel fear and confusion if you suspect sibling sexual abuse. No one wants to believe their child would commit an act of sexual violence on another child, let alone their sibling. It can also lead to feelings of guilt that this violation occurred under your care or supervision without you realizing it.
It is important to push through these uncomfortable feelings, take the necessary steps to ensure abusive sexual behavior does not happen again, and seek support for the entire family.
16 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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