Pornography is “part of the problem” with sibling sexual abuse, according to a leading psychologist and author.

On The Pat Kenny Show today, Dr Christian Sanderson said children often want to recreate what they see on television or the internet with other children, which can create problems due to the widespread availability of porn.

It comes as a recent study in the UK found that sibling sexual abuse is three to four times more common than adult-to-child sexual abuse.

Dr Sanderson said the way this form of abuse is looked at has changed over the years.

“In the past, when a child has made a disclosure, parents and professionals would have viewed this as natural and normal sexual exploration,” she said.

“It’s often seen as less harmful, or the sibling doesn’t know what they are doing, so it’s often minimised.

“Often when children experience this at the time, they are not really aware of what’s happening to them and they don’t want to get their sibling in trouble so they don’t talk about it.”

Lasting consequences

Despite this form of abuse being minimised, it can have serious lasting consequences for victims, according to Dr Sanderson.

“[Victims] may have what’s called delayed trauma in early adulthood when they first start dating or enter sexual relationships – then it can hit them,” she said.

“It’s really important for both parents and professionals to recognise the impact this kind of abuse can have.”

Reporting

Dr Sanderson said how sibling abuse is reported needs improvement.

“This has not just been underreported, it’s also been under-researched,” she said.

“In my own experience, having worked with survivors for a very long time, I’ve always had survivors [of sibling abuse] come forward to me.

“It hasn’t been to the same degree as now, but it is starting to increase in the reporting.”

Dr Sanderson noted that a recent report published by the National Police Chief’s Council in the UK found that over 50% of reported crimes of child sex abuse “are actually cases of child-on-child abuse”.

Pornography

She said pornography is a contributing factor to many cases.

“Young children, when they see things on TV or magazines, they tend to mimic that behaviour – it’s part of child development,” said Dr Sanderson.

“When we come to pornography, the same principles apply.

“They may want to mimic it and turn to a sibling to do that.”

Dr Sanderson said “sibling envy and rivalry” is also a factor in many cases of this form of abuse.

Anyone affected by the issues raised here can contact the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre National 24-hour Helpline  on 1800 778888.

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Main Image: A child cries to his psychotherapist. Image: Dmytro Zinkevych / Alamy Stock Photo