Sibling incest: The myth of benign sibling incest.

VioLit summary: OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study by Cole was to illustrate the harmful effects of sibling incest. A feminist perspective was employed. METHODOLOGY: The author conducted a non-experimental review of two case studies of sibling incest. A discussion of the pertinent literature and how it related to these two cases followed. FINDINGS/DISCUSSION: In the first case presented, incest began when the victim (sister) was 10 years old and the perpetrator (brother) was 15. The victim reported that, initially, she was intrigued by the incestuous behavior. However, over time, the brother's behavior became sadistic and violent (e.g., the victim's nipples were pinched until they bled, a gun was inserted into the victim's vagina). The victim recounted that she was too afraid of the consequences to disclose the incest. She believed that the incest was her responsibility. Victimization continued for 3-4 years and terminated when the brother left for college. The victim reported that her current obesity and her difficulties with intimate relationships were a result of the incest. The victim attended psychotherapy but withdrew when told that the incest experience was a natural exploratory part of life. Incest began with the second woman in this study when she was 4 years old and the perpetrator (her brother) was 6. The incest exacerbated when the victim was between the ages of 8 and 16. The victim reported that throughout this period she was coerced into sexual intercourse several times. The victim stated that the affection she received for complying with her brother's demands motivated her to continue to allow herself to be victimized. As a survival strategy, she would fantasize that she and her brother were lovers. The abuse ended when the perpetrator began dating. The victim reported that guilt and shame prevented her from disclosing the incest. Intense feelings of loneliness led to several suicide attempts before age 18. The author examined and compared the two cases. Both victims experienced intense anger, guilt and felt responsible for the incest. Intimacy and trust difficulties were common negative effects for both victims. Neither believed that disclosure would be of benefit to them and both victims reported that they derived some affection and attention for participating in the incest. Both perpetrators used coercion and bribery to persuade the victim to take part in the incest. The author discussed the concept of "positive" incest. It was argued that, consistent with other literature on incest, sibling incest could never be positive, or mutually consensual, since power inequalities make it psychologically impossible. The author contended that disclosure of sibling incest was important, and that victims needed to have their feelings validated upon disclosure. The author stated that most importantly the victims of sibling incest needed to know that they were not responsible for its occurrence. The author concluded that sibling incest could be as traumatizing as any other form of sexual abuse and if sibling incest was reported by a victim as a positive event, further investigation was warranted. The author proposed that incest will cease as a societal problem, only, when males are no longer more privileged than females. AUTHOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS: The author recommended that incest victims be encouraged to disclose their victimization and that sex education be directed towards raising awareness about the issue of sibling incest. (CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado) Domestic Violence Offender Juvenile Violence Juvenile Offender Juvenile Male Male Offender Male Violence Brother Offender Sibling Violence Offender Domestic Violence Effects Domestic Violence Victim Female Victim Juvenile Female Child Female Juvenile Victim Child Victim Sister Victim Sibling Violence Victim Sibling Violence Effects Incest Effects Incest Victim Incest Offender Sexual Assault Offender Sexual Assault Victim Sexual Assault Effects Child Sexual Abuse Effects Child Sexual Abuse Victim Child Sexual Abuse Offender Child Abuse Offender Child Abuse Victim Child Abuse Effects 08-00