How Child Sexual Abuse Silences Non-Abused Siblings

In this episode of 'One in Ten,' host Teresa Huizar engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Rosaleen McElvaney, a clinical psychologist and lecturer in psychology at Dublin City University. They delve into the often-overlooked impact of child sexual abuse on non-abused siblings. The discussion covers topics such as the changes in sibling relationships post-disclosure, the psychological and emotional toll on non-abused siblings, and the challenges in providing adequate support. Dr. McElvaney shares insights from her research, which includes both a small qualitative study and a larger survey, emphasizing the need for more attention and resources dedicated to understanding and supporting the entire family affected by abuse.  Time Stamps: Time. Topic 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:24 The Importance of Sibling Relationships in Abuse Cases 02:01 Research Origins and Initial Findings 11:56 Challenges and Surprises in Research 16:54 Exploring Closeness and Emotional Support 26:02 The Power of Belief in Family Relationships 26:38 Survey Insights on Sibling Belief 27:23 Ambivalence and Misunderstandings 29:16 The Complexity of Disclosure 31:04 Delayed Disclosure and Its Impact 33:34 The Burden of Keeping Secrets 34:33 Intra-Familial Abuse and Its Consequences 39:06 Advice for Professionals 43:23 Encouragement for Future Research Resources“I Feel Closer to Her Now That I Know What She Went Through”: Findings from a Survey on Siblings’ Relationships Following Childhood Sexual Abuse - Rosaleen McElvaney, Simon Dunne, Laura Cahill, Rachael McDonnell Murray, 2025Support the showDid you like this episode? Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.