How common is sibling abuse?
Research shows that violence between siblings is quite common. In fact, it is probably even more common than child abuse (by parents) or spouse abuse [1]. The most violent members of American families are the children. Experts estimate that three children in 100 are dangerously violent toward a brother or sister [2]. A 2005 study puts the number of assaults each year to children by a sibling at about 35 per 100 kids. The same study found the rate to be similar across income levels and racial and ethnic groups. Likewise, many researchers have estimated sibling incest to be much more common than parent-child incest. It seems that when abusive acts occur between siblings, family members often don’t see it as abuse [3]. How do I identify abuse? What is the difference between sibling abuse and sibling rivalry? At times, all siblings squabble and call each other mean names, and some young siblings may “play doctor”. But here is the difference between typical sibling behavior and abuse: If on
