Sibling Abuse

[lilylilium]

I am at a complete loss and I am hoping someone can help. I am a recent college graduate who in unfamiliar with these circumstances. I had someone come to me for help and I don't know how to help them.

There is suspected sexual abuse between two siblings. One is 4 and the other a teenager.

The parents were alarmed because the little 4 year old said that the teenager had taken off her underwear. The Mother stated to me that the daughter has been playing with her genitals a lot and that is when the questions began to come about.

They questioned the teenager and the teenager has denied everything. The Mother took the four year old to the Doctors and they can't find any damage. I know that this is not evident of anything and you can't prove fondling through an examination.

The family has considered initiating counseling but it not sure what to do. They fear what would happen to the oldest child.

I sat with the family and encouraged them to seek professional help.

I don't know what to say to them because I have never dealt with something like this.
I am really hoping I did the right thing.

[rebbecca]

i think that u did the right thing! if the 4 year old goes to a therpist which is a great idea then by law it has to be reported to cps or they can lose there job and it the state of maryland they can do jail time. the oldest child should also get in to see a therpist. i wish them the best, and good luck to u!!

[RockRose]

This is so hard,  and complicated.  Depending on how they approached the 4 year old who was playing with her genitals a lot - could influence her answer.  Did they just simply say,  if anyone has touched you in your privates,  you know you can tell us don't you?  Or,  did they say why do you keep playing with your private parts,  who has shown you how to do that?  Do you see how different these two questions are - one would encourage a child to make up any thing,  the other would probably get closer to the truth?

Also,  children who have been molested sometimes correctly describe the incident but falsely name the perpetrator.  

Best wishes.  Yes,  the teenager certainly stands to lose in a really big way if this is false.  On the other hand,  you don't want to ignore a plea for help from the smaller child.