The Sibling Sexual Behaviour Mapping Tool (SSBMT):Supporting practitioner confidence, planning and competency when responding to sexual behaviours between siblings

ObjectivesThis paper outlines the development and initial pilot of the Sibling Sexual Behaviour Mapping Tool (SSBMT). Building on the findings of the National Project on Sibling Sexual Abuse (King-Hill, McCartan, et al., 2023) and work by Yates and Allardyce (2023), the tool was devised with the aim of supporting frontline child-protection social workers during the initial stages of working with families where sibling sexual behaviours (SSB) may be present.MethodsThis paper explores the rationale for the SSBMT design, and preliminary findings from the first phase of resource evaluation. The evaluation process comprised a small pilot with social workers across seven local authorities in the United Kingdom (UK). The pilot study sought to assess the workability and effectiveness of the SSBMT within social work practice, providing stakeholder insight prior to its launch. The study employed mixed methods to gain feedback on the SSBMT design, accessibility, ease of use and compatibility with current child protection work processes, which included training of 50 practitioners, surveys with 20 professionals and two semi-structured interviews.FindingsThe findings suggest that the SSBMT increased practitioner confidence when working with SSB, and promoted holistic, whole-family approaches in the initial stages of work with children and families affected by SSB

Sibling sexual abuse: A form of family dysfunction as opposed to individualised behaviour

This paper presents a reconsideration and more in-depth discussion part of some the findings of the Home Office funded Sibling Sexual Abuse (SSA) project (King-Hill et al, 2023). The focus of the paper on the role of family systems, especially dysfunctional family systems, in the sexual abuse. The research is based on 17 semi-structured interviews with survivors of SSA (n=17 female), which were thematically analysed. This resulted in the research team being able to identify 10 commonly identified markers of SSA and family dysfunction. The 10 markers highlight that the family structure, systems, processes, and functionality all contribute to the conditions that enable Sibling Sexual Abuse to occur. The paper goes on to discuss the importance of understanding family systems, ACE’s, and trauma in preventing and responding to Sibling Sexual Abuse. The paper concludes that the family system is a key player in Sibling Sexual Abuse and needs to be considered in prevention and treatment as the child who id harmed and the child that harms

Professional responses to sibling sexual abuse

Professional confidence and knowledge are essential in effectively responding to sibling sexual abuse (SSA). If professionals do not have knowledge of the area and confidence in their skills to deliver effective support, then there could be negative consequences for the victims.The methods consisted of narrative interviewing of N=30 professionals and N=2 young victim/survivors. This approach was chosen as it provided a thorough and robust picture of practitioner responses to SSA.Through thematic analysis, three dominant themes emerged across both the young person and practitioner data in relation to practitioner responses to SSA, these being minimisation, exaggeration and catastrophising.SSA is an area in its own right with its own nuances and considerations that make it distinct other forms of sexual abuse, which means that professional responses and training needs to be re-examined to develop new, more appropriate ways of working with victims of as well as those who commit SSA