Sexual abuse between siblings: what can be done about it?
Sexual abuse between brothers and sisters can cause deep psychological wounds. Little is known about how, as a practitioner, you can help heal these wounds. To expand knowledge on this topic, orthopedagogue Dr. Sheila van Berkel, who researches this theme, has compiled a set of treatment tips.
Breaking the silence
Breaking the silence surrounding sexual abuse between brothers and sisters. That is one of the goals researcher and orthopedagogue Dr. Sheila van Berkel hopes to achieve with her work. Because the silence surrounding abuse between brothers and sisters, sisters and sisters, and brothers and brothers has been deafening. And perhaps it still is. 'Only in the past twenty to twenty-five years has research been conducted on this specific topic', Van Berkel explains. 'And it is really only in the last ten years that we have seen a noticeable increase.'
Not as innocent as once thought
In the Netherlands, there are now two ongoing research lines focusing on this issue. Van Berkel coordinates one research line at Leiden University, and Aletta Simons is conducting PhD research on sexual abuse between siblings from the Christian University of Applied Sciences Ede and Tilburg University.
Why scientists have only recently begun to study this subject? 'For a long time, sexual behavior between children was not seen as problematic', Van Berkel explains. 'It was viewed as experimentation, as part of development. The idea was that you shouldn’t make it into a problem.'
By now, we know that it is not as harmless as previously thought. This type of abuse can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and difficulties with one’s own sexuality and relationships, among other consequences.
Which treatment works?
Problems of this nature can also arise after other forms of sexual abuse. 'However, therapists cannot approach abuse between siblings in the same way', Van Berkel explains. 'The trauma that results from sexual abuse itself can be treated with evidence-based therapies, but the major challenge is: how do you ensure that the entire family does not fall apart?'
The guidelines Van Berkel has developed are intended to help reduce that risk. For example, the document with tips states: 'Condemn the behavior, not the person. Do not reject the brother or sister, but do take a clear ethical stance on what has happened.'
The central role of the parents is also emphasized: 'Be attentive to feelings of shame, guilt, anger, sadness, and trauma among the parents. Support them in their role of taking responsibility for and providing support to their children.'
Treatment remains tailor-made
Is the next step a general treatment protocol? Van Berkel does not think so. 'The treatment of this type of abuse will always require a tailored approach. No family or household is the same. You always have to look at what is happening within a specific family and how the abuse developed. There is no standard approach for this.'
The full set of treatment guidelines can be consulted here (in Dutch).