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Licensed therapist Darlene Lancer, J.D. LMFT. writes in an article for psychology today that sibling abuse is the most common but least reported type of abuse in the family. Prevalence is higher

than spousal or child abuse combined, with consequences well into adulthood similar to parent

child abuse. Up to 80% of youth experience some form of

sibling maltreatment, yet it's often called the forgotten abuse. Usually the perpetrator is an

older child, often the eldest, exploiting the emotional dependence and weakness of a younger sibling.

Girls are at a greater risk of abuse, generally by an older brother.

When a brother abuses a sister, it often involves physical or sexual abuse. Lanser continues,

sibling rivalry and abuse are different. Squabbles, jealousy, unwillingness to share, and competition

are normal sibling behaviors.

Fighting between equals can be two.

Rivalry is reciprocal and the motive is for parental attention versus harm and control.

Rather than an occasional incident, abuse is a repeated pattern where one sibling takes the role of the aggressor toward

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