Breaking the Silence: Understanding & Responding to Sibling Sexual Abuse (SSA)

This training presentation offers a comprehensive exploration of sexual trauma in children with a focused lens on the often-overlooked issue of SSA. Designed for professionals such as child protection workers, child welfare professionals, therapists, school counselors, child advocates and other professionals working with children and families to increase awareness and competence in recognizing, assessing, and supporting individuals affected by child sexual abuse and SSA.

The session also explores family dynamics, secondary trauma, and the grief processes that occur after disclosure. Practical guidance is offered for safety planning, therapeutic interventions, and promoting resilience through family engagement and community collaboration. The presentation seeks to normalize discussion of SSA, strengthen professional response, and ultimately enhance prevention and healing outcomes for affected children and families.

Training Learning Objectives

• Define sexual trauma and sibling sexual abuse (SSA) and identify behaviors that constitute each.

• Recognize signs and symptoms of sexual trauma in children and understand its short- and long-term impacts.

• Differentiate between age-appropriate sexual curiosity and problematic sexual behaviors.

• Analyze systemic and emotional barriers to disclosure and professional response.

• Apply trauma-informed strategies when supporting disclosures of sexual abuse or SSA.

• Develop effective safety and treatment plans for victims, siblings, and families.

• Identify the signs and effects of secondary trauma in caregivers and professionals.

• Promote preventive education about consent, body boundaries, and healthy sexual development.

Registration Fee: $100