Here you’ll find a range of information to read, listen to, and watch: organizations, interviews, podcasts, articles and books.
A list of Personal Supports can be found at the end.
Sibling Aggression and Abuse Research and Advocacy Initiative (SAARA)
An initiative of the Crimes Against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire, this team is committed to research, education, advocacy, raising awareness, and providing training. You’ll find handouts, bulletins, publications and more. An amazing resource for everyone interested in the issue, from researchers to helpers, parents, adult survivors, educators, the media and the general public.
Here you will find their excellent series in Psychology Today, The Science of Siblings: the enduring importance of siblings in our lives.
The Learning Network – Issue 21: Sibling Violence
Excellent Canadian resource, comprehensive information, presented in easy-to-read format, from the Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children (CREVAWC) at Western University, London, Ontario.
7 Facts Everyone Needs To Know About Sibling Violence
A “snapshot” of the above, published by CREVAWC.
PODCASTS:
What Would Dr. Meyers Do? (WWDMD?)
Dr. Amy Meyers is a psychotherapist with 30 years of clinical experience and expertise in sibling relationships and sibling abuse. Her podcast includes several episodes focusing on sibling abuse; scroll through the episodes to find those. HIGHLY recommend that you listen to the entire SA series, starting at Ep. 11 and approximately each 5th one after. Ep. 105 is an interview with Lorene (see Blog #3 for some context!)
An excellent podcast and website that specifically addresses sibling sexual abuse, a complex issue that certainly deserves its own focus, created by Nancy Morris, a sibling sexual abuse survivor and psychology researcher from Ottawa, Ontario here in Canada. “The voice of sibling sexual abuse survivors and their families. Reducing stigma with heartfelt stories and real science.”
More Than Sibling Rivalry: Understanding and Addressing Sibling Abuse
An interview with Lorene Stanwick (again, see my Blog #3 for some context). It is one in a series put out by CREVAWC (Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children) at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada called Little Eyes, Little Ears: Centering Children & Youth in Gender-Based Violence Work.
AND MORE:
CBC Radio: The Current “Sibling bullying has the greatest impact” (May 13/16)
Anna Maria Tremonti interviews Dr. Dieter Wolke about his research on sibling bullying.
CBC Radio: The Current ‘I’m still petrified of her’, sibling bullying and its lasting effects (May 31/16)
Lorene Stanwick, along with two other survivors of sibling abuse, in discussion with Anna Maria Tremonti. CBC received so many letters about the initial interview, they invited Lorene and two other respondents to share their stories.
Dr. Vernon Wiehe is a pioneer in sibling abuse research. He is the author of ten books in the field of family violence, turning his attention to sibling abuse when, in his research, he found how pervasive and under-researched it has been. He has appeared on numerous TV and radio programs discussing sibling abuse and has lectured throughout the United States and abroad.
Sibling Abuse with Vernon Wiehe
This radio interview includes abuse vs. rivalry, prevalence, prevention, and the importance of listening to, and believing, children.
Dr. Vernon Wiehe and Lorene Stanwick discuss Broken Branches and Sibling Abuse
In September 2019, Dr. Wiehe attended a performance of Broken Branches and participated in a post-show audience discussion.
Broken Branches: Post-Show Discussion Footage
A range of discussions followed many of the performances of the show including child advocates, experts in family and child violence/abuse, therapists, college professors, an award-winning Canadian playwright, as well as the director and cast. You can watch some of those conversations here.
New York Times article discussing a study led by Corinna Jenkins Tucker, a leader in sibling abuse research, and on the team of SAARA (see above), based on data from 3,600 children from the National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence.
Sibling and peer victimization in childhood and adolescence
The full research article in the journal Child Abuse and Neglect.
Today’s Parent addresses the issue (with further links following the article)
Beyond Rivalry, a Hidden World of Sibling Violence
Discussion of research led by David Finkelhor, a sociologist at the Family Research Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire and part of the SAARA research team.
Author John Caffaro is a leading researcher on sibling abuse; good suggestions for parents.
Sibling Bullying and Abuse: The Hidden Epidemic
Posted in PAces Connection, a healing-centred social network community exploring ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences); originally published in Psychology Today
How Sibling Abuse Can Affect Survivors
Includes some information on types of therapeutic interventions.
Sibling Bullying and Abuse: The Hidden Epidemic
Note a “sibling abuse” search from this page yields further articles from Psychology Today.
Sibling bullying: humiliated and scorned by a family member . . . this is not just ‘sibling rivalry’
One in a series of articles published in the Irish Times (links included), most of which include interviews with survivors.
‘It Was Definitely About Power’: The Horrendous, Hidden Impact of Sibling Abuse
VICE explores the issue; primarily a first-person survivor’s account
When There Is No Getting Away: The Grief of Sibling Bullying
A powerful article, written by a psychotherapist, with an emphasis on what it feels like to be bullied by a sibling.
Sibling Sexual Abuse: A Guide for Parents
A publication by the Public Health Agency of Canada
Sibling Sexual Abuse Facts Caregivers Should Know
From Very Well Mind, an online Mental Health site
The Trauma of Sibling Abuse – A Mother’s Perspective
A mother’s journey through the nightmare of her daughter’s abuse by her son. “It’s hard to describe the maelstrom of feelings I was going through. Rage, disbelief, confusion, and fear are just a few. … The answer is not to hide the situation but rather to confront it and work it through.”
Not a great title but the content is good – clear, concise, a “checklist” for parents.
Improving sibling relationships
From the American Psychological Association (APA) – Psychologists’ research shows that these long-lasting relationships are more critical than many people think and offers insights on how to improve them.
How To Resolve Your Kids’ Sibling Fights
Some good conflict resolution tips for parents, found through Stop Abuse for Everyone (SAFE), a Human Rights Agency. Their newsletter once had very occasional links to sibling abuse articles; now, they are a regular feature.
Seven Steps to Teaching Children Body Autonomy
Important preventative information for parents and caregivers.
Kid’s stuff: The nature and impact of peer and sibling violence on younger and older children
Compared to peer assaults on older youth, very young child victims were actually more likely to be injured and more likely to be hit with an object that could cause injury.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study
A great overview and information about the original ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study with, however, a notable absence of sibling abuse – something those at SAARA are working to change.
Sibling Abuse: Hidden Physical, Emotional, and Sexual Trauma by Dr. Vernon Wiehe
A deep look at the impact of sibling abuse through the words and experiences of survivors, obtained through a voluntary 14-page questionnaire. This is the study that brought the issue to the attention of the public and other researchers.
A list of Dr. Wiehe’s books
Sibling Abuse Trauma: Assessment and Intervention Strategies for Children, Families, and Adults by Dr. John V. Caffaro
An important textbook that fills the void in psychotherapy training for sibling abuse, with a focus on assessment and treatment.
Sibling Aggression: Assessment and Treatment by Dr. Jonathan Caspi
Like the other books, Dr. Caspi looks at the causes, assessment and treatment of sibling aggression, and explores family dynamics that exacerbate it and suggests a treatment program.
Sibling Sexual Abuse: A Guide for Confronting America’s Silent Epidemic by Brad Watts
Brad Watts is a licensed professional counselor and Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider; he focuses on the family system, the community and what is needed to heal both the perpetrators and victims of sibling sexual abuse.
Educated by Tara Westover
Tara Westover’s memoir is a powerful, gripping account of overcoming significant systemic challenges, and healing from a childhood that includes pervasive abuse by a sibling.
My Father’s Suitcase by Mary Garden
In the words of Dr. John Caffaro: A heartfelt rendering of the writer’s struggles with an abusive sister, and her ultimate journey towards recovery. Mary does an especially good job of describing family of origin dynamics that set the stage for the troubled relationship with her sister, and points to a path forward for adult survivors.
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
A definitive book about trauma. Integrating therapy with science, this research demonstrates how critical it is to understand the impact of trauma, including developmental trauma that can – and often does – develop as a result of sibling abuse.
Working with Survivors of Sibling Sexual Abuse: A Guide to Therapeutic Support and Protection for Children and Adults by Christiane Sanderson
For those “assessing, supporting, safeguarding or treating individuals or families impacted by sibling sexual abuse and all those working with adult survivors.”