Ep.59 | Scoping Review – What do we know about SSA with Dr. Peter Yates and Amy Adams

#SiblingsToo - Exploring the impacts of sibling sexual abuse

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the #SiblingsToo Podcast, host Nancy Morris talks with Dr. Peter Yates and Amy Adams about their scoping review on sibling sexual abuse (SSA), a critical step in consolidating fragmented research on this under-explored issue. By mapping the current knowledge base, their work identifies gaps in research, clarifies definitions, and lays the groundwork for improved understanding and future studies, making it an invaluable resource for addressing SSA more effectively.

Dr. Yates and Amy Adams discuss the complexities of defining SSA, revealing 27 different definitions in the literature and stressing the importance of clear, consistent language to avoid stigma and misinterpretation. They also examine prevalence rates, with adult disclosures ranging from 1.6% to 7%, highlighting the urgent need for increased societal awareness and targeted research. The conversation underscores the limitations of existing studies and calls for more rigorous approaches to fully understand SSA’s onset, patterns, and long-term impacts.

About the Guest(s):

Dr. Peter Yates: Dr. Peter Yates is a lecturer in social work at Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland. With a background in working in a specialist service assisting children and young people exhibiting harmful sexual behavior, Dr. Yates has dedicated his research to studying sibling sexual abuse, primarily focusing on cases involving boys abusing their siblings.

Amy Adams: Amy Adams is a doctoral researcher at the University of Birmingham, centered on family and sibling dynamics. Her current research delves into the relationships between siblings where one child has caused harm and another has been harmed, providing insight into the complex dynamics within such families.

Key Takeaways:

• Definition Complexity: The myriad definitions of sibling sexual abuse contribute to challenges in research and interventions, highlighting the need for a universal understanding to improve clarity and response.
• Prevalence Insights: Existing research reveals significant rates of SSA disclosure in adulthood, underscoring the need for societal acknowledgment and systemic approaches to dealing with such cases.
• Family Dynamics: The conversation delves into the factors correlating with SSA, emphasizing that it transcends socio-economic boundaries and often correlates with wider family disruptions.
• Need for Comprehensive Research: The episode stresses the importance of conducting more in-depth studies, including longitudinal research to establish causal pathways and effective interventions.
• Education and Intervention: Dr. Yates and Adams advocate for educational efforts starting early in childhood to prevent SSA, aiming for holistic family interventions tailored to support every family member affected by SSA.

Notable Quotes:

• "Because it's such a difficult concept to pin down… what we don't want to be doing is stigmatizing children and children's sexual behaviors unnecessarily." - Dr. Peter Yates
• "In terms of disclosure, most disclosures come in adulthood, not from children at the time of the incident." - Amy Adams
• "The idea that some people can touch children's bodies… can include and name specifically brothers and sisters." - Dr. Peter Yates
• "Sibling sexual abuse can take place in any families from across the socio-economic spectrum." - Dr. Peter Yates
• "We need more robust and stronger methodologies to make causal or pathway links." - Amy Adams

Resources:

• Glasgow Caledonian University
• University of Birmingham
• Siblings 2 Podcast: Website
• AIM Project (Manchester)

Chapters:

0:00

Sibling Sexual Abuse: Understanding, Disclosure, and Stigma

2:55

Exploring Research Gaps in Sibling Sexual Abuse Studies

9:24

Challenges in Defining Sibling Sexual Abuse and Its Implications

18:00

Defining Sibling Sexual Abuse and Its Research Implications

22:33

Reevaluating Sibling Sexual Abuse and Its Traumatic Impact

25:28

Challenges in Managing Sibling Relationships After Harm

27:30

Understanding Sibling Sexual Abuse and Societal Challenges

31:11

Prevalence and Research on Sibling Sexual Abuse

33:41

Understanding the Impact of Sibling Sexual Abuse

39:22

Understanding Sibling Sexual Abuse Across Diverse Family Dynamics

45:09

Addressing Gaps in Sibling Sexual Abuse Research and Prevention

51:04

Challenges in Disclosing Sibling Sexual Abuse Within Families

56:39

Challenges of Disclosure in Adulthood for Childhood Trauma Survivors

58:52

Risks and Rewards of Sharing Personal Struggles

1:00:15

Understanding Non-Verbal Disclosures of Child Sexual Abuse

1:02:26

Early Education and Prevention of Sibling Sexual Abuse

1:05:45

The Challenge of Establishing Clear and Consistent Definitions

1:07:29

Defining and Understanding Sibling Sexual Behaviors and Abuses

1:11:27

Global Research Gaps in Sibling Sexual Abuse Studies

1:16:29

Exploring Whole Family Interventions for Sibling Sexual Abuse

1:21:28

Family Education as a Tool for Abuse Prevention

1:24:39

Addressing Sibling Sexual Abuse Through Broader Societal Responsibility

1:27:11

Increasing Research and Public Discourse on Sibling Sexual Abuse

1:34:57

Scoping Review on Sibling Sexual Abuse: Methodology and Future Directions

1:38:29

Sharing Open Access Research on the Siblings 2 Podcast