Conference papers

Sibling incest offenders as a subset of adolescent sexual offenders

Sue Rayment-McHugh and Ian Nisbet
Griffith Adolescent Forensic Assessment and Treatment Centre, Griffith University, Queensland

Presented at:
Child Sexual Abuse : Justice Response or Alternative Resolution
Novotel Adelaide on Hindley, Adelaide
1-2 May 2003

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Abstract

There is a growing body of literature on sibling incest offenders. Previous studies have shown that harm caused by sibling sexual abuse parallels that inflicted by fathers and step-fathers and that sibling incest offenders typically perpetrate greater numbers of offence incidents, over a longer period of time than other adolescent sexual offenders. However, despite such research highlighting the serious nature of sibling sexual abuse, sexual assault perpetrated by siblings is often viewed as somehow less serious than other forms of child sexual abuse. This paper compares a sample of Queensland sibling incest offenders with other adolescent sexual offenders referred to the Griffith Adolescent Forensic Assessment and Treatment Centre, Queensland. The offenders are compared on a number of dimensions including demographic variables, offence dynamics, family and parenting environment, and psychological profile. The study reveals some significant differences between adolescent sibling incest offenders and non sibling offenders against children, with sibling incest offenders being assessed as having more risk factors for sexual offence recidivism. The implications of these research findings, including challenges for the professional systems in responding to sibling sexual abuse, are discussed.