OLDER BROTHER-YOUNGER SISTER INCEST
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 overtures initiated by anyone who is related to the child by family ties or through surrogate family ties (surrogate meaning an adult who shares a primary group relationship with the child. (p.1)
When an incest occurs between brothers and sisters, this is referred to as sibling incest (Sue, Sue and Sue, 1994).
As to the incidence rates, Sue, Sue & Sue (1994) state that estimates of sexual relations between close relatives vary from about 48,00 to 250,000 per year. The authors further report that sibling...