NCJ Number
243141
Date Published
2011
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This chapter presents a systematic approach to family therapy in cases of sibling-on-sibling incest.
Abstract
There are five steps to this approach. For each step, the chapter identifies treatment goals, participants involved, treatment focus, and warning signs that must be addressed. The first step begins when the abuse is revealed to the therapist. The goal is to prevent further abuse and barriers to future treatment efforts. The second step involves complete evaluations of all family members. The goal is to determine the appropriateness, treatment amenability, and capacity of each family member to engage in constructive individual and family therapy. Step three involves beginning family therapy. The goal is to bring parents and the offending sibling together in family therapy. A positive outcome consists of parents beginning to feel acceptance and support, understanding the offender's offending dynamics and the extent of the sibling abuse, support the offender in treatment, and hold him/her accountable. The fourth step is to bring the sibling victim and sibling offender together in family work. The goal is to involve the sibling victim in the family reunification process. Parents should develop and practice the skill of protecting the victim while supporting each sibling in treatment and taking charge of managing family interactions. The fifth step involves family therapy termination. The goal is to review treatment successes, evaluate the depth of treatment integration among family members, and prepare the family members for family therapy transitioning and termination. A positive outcome in this step would be for the family to follow the safety plan, for the victim to feel safe and empowered, for the offender to be able to avoid high-risk situations and prevent relapse, and for parents to take the lead in managing the family. 18 references