Sibling Sexual Abuse: Answering Reader Questions
Following the publication of my blog post Sibling Sexual Abuse: Breaking the Silence, I received several insightful queries from readers seeking clarity and further information. Here is a straightforward Q&A addressing your queries. I was interested to find the answers too so thank you for asking:
Q: Where does the research go after publication?
A: Research often remains within academic journals, accessible primarily to researchers and institutions with subscriptions. While some findings inform policies or programs, a significant portion of research does not extend beyond academic circles unless there’s a direct effort to translate it into practice. This is a recognised issue in academia, often called the “research-to-practice gap.”
Q: Who ensures that findings lead to action?
A: There is no universal system ensuring research findings lead to actionable change. It typically depends on the researchers, advocacy groups, or policymakers to push findings forward. Some journals and institutions are beginning to include “impact” criteria, encouraging researchers to outline practical applications of their work.
Q: Is there accountability in academia to translate research into real-world outcomes?
A: Accountability varies. Some funding bodies require evidence of societal impact. However, the academic culture still prioritises publication volume and prestige over practical outcomes. There is growing pressure on academia to address this imbalance. Change is slow, particularly in sensitive fields like sibling sexual abuse.
Q: Did the Royal Commission address adult survivors, or was its focus solely on children?
A: While the Royal Commission primarily focused on protecting children, it acknowledged the profound impact on adult survivors. Recommendations included the establishment of the National Redress Scheme, improved access to trauma-informed care and long-term counselling, and legal reforms to support survivors seeking justice.
Q: Was sibling sexual abuse (SSA) mentioned in the Royal Commission’s findings?
A: Yes, SSA was addressed indirectly in Volume 10, “Children with harmful sexual behaviours”. It includes recommendations for early intervention, therapeutic services, and professional training to address these behaviours. However, SSA was not given significant individual attention and remained under the broader umbrella of harmful sexual behaviours (HSB).
Q: What research is being conducted specifically on SSA in Australia?
A: Research on SSA in Australia remains limited. The Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS) is one notable project, with its findings contributing to our understanding of various forms of child maltreatment, including SSA. However, most targeted studies and resources specifically focused on SSA are emerging from lived-experience-led advocacy organisations in Canada, the UK, and the USA, such as SiblingsToo, Thriving Survivors, and 5WAVES.
Q: How will SSA gain public attention and discourse?
A: Public discourse on SSA requires a concerted effort from survivors, advocates, researchers, and media. While SSA has been mentioned in Australian media sporadically, it remains overshadowed by broader discussions on child sexual abuse. Increased survivor-led advocacy, focused public awareness campaigns, and explicit inclusion of SSA in institutional frameworks could help bring it to the forefront.
This Q&A highlights ongoing gaps and the need for sustained advocacy, collaboration, and innovation to ensure sibling sexual abuse is no longer ignored. Thank you for asking the questions. All conversations and curiosity will help break the silence.
Let’s keep asking the questions that matter and pushing for the answers that create change.
News: Have you heard of Aussie advocate, survivor, author and poet Deb Aldrick?
Deb and I were introduced through the team at the Daniel Morcombe Foundation. Deb’s book title is Circling The Wagons: When hiding a family secret becomes more important than a loved one. It’s new out in 2024, available directly from Deb’s website: Dragonfly Advocacy or on Amazon and other stores. A memoir about her lived experience of intrafamilial sexual abuse. I’m waiting for my copy to arrive this week. Deb and I spoke for hours on Friday. She had read Resolve and found our experiences relatable.
That conversation, and one the day before with a survivor from the USA, reminded me of this thing we survivors have. It’s the understanding, the knowing, being able to hear the words said and not said, the common little and big hurts, knowing when words are authentic or hollow, micro and macro puzzle pieces that we connect as we find our way forward to open up and heal.
In these conversations, I’m finding that we may tear up but also end up laughing about these commonalities—the abuse and harm were serious, but we also see it now as healed adults. So much of what we experienced was just plain wrong and is very relatable. Healing and recovery are easier with fellow survivors. I’m so grateful to have met so many survivors, all because I chose to write Resolve. Thank you for being here.
I’ll be back next week with a focus on spreading a little more love, steps towards healing or recognition of the long shadow that sibling sexual abuse leaves behind. Please know that you are seen, you are enough as you are, and that healing is possible.
If you’d like to reach out for support, information or resources regarding sibling sexual abuse, follow this link to my Need Support page to find links to organisations focused on empowering, thriving, and connecting.
With love,
Alice
