Brother-Sister Incest ABSTRACT

This paper explores the topic of older brother/younger sister incest. To this end, sibling incest is defined and incidence figures are provided. Further, types of older brother/younger sister incest are delineated and its effects are discussed. The importance of treatment is explored within the context of the Systems theory of family therapy. The paper ends with the formulation of implications for social work.

I believe that the problem of sibling incest, especially older brother/younger sister incest is widespread and associated with psychoemotional and behavioral consequences that are so severe that, without treatment, victims are at grave risk for long-term problems and disorders. Also, I believe that the incestuous relationship must be disclosed to the entire family and then dealt with therapeutically in order to break the cycle of abuse and the dysfunctionalism in the family.

Finally, I believe in the "Systems Theory" of handling the problem; this theory holds that it is by providing therapeutic interventions directed not only at the victim but also the perpetrator and the family as a whole that leads to remediation of the problem. This paper provides a review of the existing literature which justifies these beliefs.

Incest has been defined by Brickhead (1989) as follows: . . . all forms of sexual contact, sexual exploitation (e.g. pornography), and sexual o

. . .
zy or perverted (Cleveland, 1986). (8) Less likely to marry than victims of non-sibling incest (Russell, 1986). (9) More likely to be physically abused in marriage, to suffer sexual harassment on the job, and to engage in substance abuse (Russell, 1986). (10) More fearful of sexual assaults in future (Courtois, 1988). The reviewed material clearly shows that not only is the problem of older brother/younger sister incest widespread, it is associated with serious consequences to the victim. Importance of Treatment In her discussion of the effects of incest, Courtois (1988) reports that without treatment, the grave consequences of the experience will often persist throughout the life of the victim. As Courtois (1988) puts it: Therapeutically, these disturbances need to be recognized as consequences of the untreated original effects of the abuse. (p. 117) Given that treatment is necessary to remediation of the negative psychoemotional and behavioral consequences of incest, the question can be asked as to what type of treatment produces maximal success. According to Giarretto (1982) family therapy can be highly successful in cases of sibling incest as well as other types of incestuous relationships. Giarretto's (1
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Meyer Higgs, Giarretto CSATP, According Courtois, Specifically Giarretto, Abrahams Hoey, According Giarretto, INCEST ABSTRACT, Silverstein Walters, Shapshay Vines, Arndt Ladd, sibling incest, sister incest, brother/younger sister, brother/younger sister incest, sue sue, courtois 1988, sexually abused, sexual abuse, giarretto 1980, father-daughter incest, family therapy, meyer higgs 1992, sue sue sue, sue sue 1994, child abuse neglect,
Approximate Word count = 2598
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page)

More Essays on Brother-Sister Incest ABSTRACT