Understanding and responding to sibling sexual harm and abuse

Key findings

Sibling sexual harm and abuse is complex

Professionals can find it hard to identify, understand and respond to sibling sexual harm and abuse. Identifying what has happened and why, as well as understanding the experiences of the children involved, is important when determining the best approach.

Families need to receive holistic support

Sibling sexual harm and abuse is often a severe and long-term form of harm. Professionals need to consider the wider family dynamic and develop a response that supports the whole family.

Safety, healing and justice are important goals following abuse

These core goals often overlap and intersect. Professionals should work with children and families to achieve these goals in different ways, without one goal obscuring the others.

Good practice principles can support practitioners working with children and families.

Good practice principles include: adopting a whole family approach; conducting comprehensive assessments and promoting reflective learning; and prioritising safety and preventing further abuse.