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A REPORT ON THE EFFECTS OF SIBLING SEXUAL ABUSE

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A REPORT ON THE EFFECTS OF SIBLING SEXUAL ABUSE
A REPORT ON THE EFFECTS OF SIBLING SEXUAL ABUSE

BY
NWOKO ISRAEL. I
STUDENT NUMBER-53918126
UNIQUE NUMBER-322943
POST GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION,
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA.

AUGUST, 2013.

PREFACE
In this report the word ‘’ Sibling ’’ is used to refer to children who grow up in the same family, whether they are step-children, foster children, adopted children or children by birth. Naturally and healthy sexual exploration between children of similar age, size and developmental stage and sexual play that is mutual, voluntary and not coercive , is not sibling abuse, or incest, can involve a brother and sister, two sisters or two brothers but abuse by an older brother against a younger sister is the most common form. (Graffast Conn-Caffrey, 1998).
Sibling sexual abuse, like all forms of sexual abuse, is an abuse of power. If a more powerful sibling, who may be older or stronger, bribes or threatens a weaker sibling into sexual activity, this is called sexual abuse.

Executive summary
This report is written for parents and other important role players who know or suspect that there is sibling abuse in their family and want to do something about it. It’s also written for parents who want to understand and prevent sibling sexual abuse.
Many parents are afraid to believe that sexual abuse could be possible in their family, and this report is meant to support parents facing that responsibility in an informed way.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary………………………………………………………………………………………… i
Preface…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ii
CHAPTER ONE
What is sibling sexual abuse?............................................................................. 1
What are the effects of



References: 1.2.1 A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: According to DeMause (1995:1), the history of childhood is a nightmare from which we have only recently begun to awaken 1. Learning and developmental problems Strong associations have been made between child abuse/neglect and learning difficulties/poor academic achievement (Gilbert et al., 2009; Mills, 2004; Veltman and Browne, 2001) 2. Trauma and psychological problems Trauma caused by experience of child abuse and neglect can have serious effects on the developing brain, increasing the risk of psychological problems (Streck-Fischer & Van der Kolk, 2000) 3. Behavioral problems Researchers have found that child abuse and neglect is associated with behavioral problem in childhood and adolescence (Etheir et al.; 2004; Mills, 2004; Shaffer, Houston, & Egeland, 2008) 4. Youth suicide Research suggests that abuse and neglect doubles the risk of attempted suicide for young people (Brodsky & Stanley, 2008; Brown et al.; 1999; Evans, Hawton, & Rodham, 2005)

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