Including siblings in the treatment of child sexual abuse.
Siblings are often not included in treatment programs for children who have been sexually abused. This article describes the necessity of including siblings in the treatment of victims of child sexual abuse. Including siblings in treatment permits families to realize the maximum benefits of therapy for the victim as well as each family member. Theoretical and practical reasons to include siblings in treatment are discussed (i.e., preventing future abuse, providing support for siblings, teaching siblings to refrain from victim-blaming). Case examples using a particular intervention approach at The Family Learning Program and results of client satisfaction surveys are described.
Baker
J N
JN
Florida Institute of Technology, School of Psychology, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA. bakerj@fit.edu
Tanis
H J
HJ
Rice
J B
JB
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008016:Life Change Events; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012649:Self Concept; D012650:Self Disclosure; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*