ABSTRACT Māori adolescents are more likely to have lived through an array of adverse experiences due to unequal exposure to social disadvantage that Indigenous Māori face in Aotearoa New Zealand. Most of this disadvantage arises from intergenerational inequity resulting from the British colonial process. This study aimed to investigate how disadvantage manifests in the backgrounds of Māori adolescents with harmful sexual behaviours. Background characteristics in a sample of 1024 males (aged between 12 and 17), who were referred to a treatment programme for harmful sexual behaviour, were analysed and comparisons made between Māori and non-Māori on risk factors. Māori exhibited higher rates of risk factors (substance abuse, familial criminality, physical abuse victimisation and family violence) at different contextual levels (i.e. individual, family, school). Risks of school exclusion and sexual abuse victimisation were similar across ethnicities. Recommendations are made for prevention/treatment efforts that use holistic and culturally informed approaches. PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT Culturally appropriate treatment for Māori with harmful sexual behaviours (HSBs) is recommended. This needs to be led by Māori, for Māori and with Māori, including whānau/family-based treatment and prevention.

ABSTRACT A reluctance to speak about child sexual abuse that occurs in domestic settings complicates the dissemination of accurate prevention information to families. Fiction can provide context that assists to translate evidence-based prevention strategies in everyday ways, but to do so safely necessitates careful consideration of ethics. Five modern works of fiction were analysed to determine how intrafamilial child sexual abuse was elucidated and how the novels aligned with empirical findings. The results are considered with respect to developing a child safe approach to literature – a framework for critiquing literature that prioritises children's rights to safety over authorial rights to creative expression. Consideration is also given to how child welfare organisations, practitioners, policy makers and researchers might harness a child safe approach to fiction to disseminate accurate prevention information. PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT This review of modern works of fiction about intrafamilial child sexual abuse considers how the abuse is represented by contemporary authors. Reviewing fiction through a child safe lens permits critical examination of the myths reinforced or dispelled by the work. Adopting a child safe approach to fiction potentially affords practitioners, researchers, agencies and advocates an avenue to disseminate accurate prevention information that can reach individuals in everyday settings.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to investigate relationships between criminal history, cognitive distortions, social climate, motivation to change and therapeutic alliance at an early stage of treatment among people incarcerated for child sexual abuse. To do so, 223 men (M age = 47, range = 19–76 years) who took part in a treatment programme in Quebec, Canada, following perpetration of child sexual abuse were included in the study. Individual factors (number of prior offences; cognitive distortions), social climate, and their association with motivation and therapeutic alliance were examined. Multiple linear regressions revealed that participants with fewer cognitive distortions who perceived social climate more positively were more motivated to change and had a better alliance with their therapist. Participants with higher motivation also established better therapeutic alliances with programme staff. This study provides new knowledge on two major components of successful treatment and highlights the importance of a positive environment in forming therapeutic alliance. PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT Treatment providers should be mindful that the same cognitive distortions that are likely to be treatment targets can also be obstacles to motivation and the development of the therapeutic alliance. In terms of the treatment environment, providing a safe, open, and supportive social climate between inmates and programme staff contributes to higher motivation and better therapeutic alliance.

ABSTRACT This paper presents a reconsideration and more in-depth discussion part of some the findings of the Home Office funded Sibling Sexual Abuse (SSA) project (King-Hill et al, 2023). The focus of the paper on the role of family systems, especially dysfunctional family systems, in the sexual abuse. The research is based on 17 semi-structured interviews with survivors of SSA (n=17 female), which were thematically analysed. This resulted in the research team being able to identify 10 commonly identified markers of SSA and family dysfunction. The 10 markers highlight that the family structure, systems, processes, and functionality all contribute to the conditions that enable Sibling Sexual Abuse to occur. The paper goes on to discuss the importance of understanding family systems, ACE's, and trauma in preventing and responding to Sibling Sexual Abuse. The paper concludes that the family system is a key player in Sibling Sexual Abuse and needs to be considered in prevention and treatment as the child who id harmed and the child that harms. PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT The impact of this paper is both clinical and professional. It provides insights into the role of family systems in sibling sexual abuse cases and by result feeds into discussions around the effective prevention of and response to this form of sexual abuse.

ABSTRACT Professional confidence and knowledge are essential in effectively responding to sibling sexual abuse (SSA). If professionals do not have knowledge of the area and confidence in their skills to deliver effective support, then there could be negative consequences for the victims. The methods consisted of narrative interviewing of N = 30 professionals and N = 2 young victims/survivors. This approach was chosen as it provided a thorough and robust picture of practitioner responses to SSA. Through thematic analysis, three dominant themes emerged across both the young person and practitioner data in relation to practitioner responses to SSA, these being minimisation, exaggeration, and catastrophising. SSA is an area in its own right with its own nuances and considerations that make it distinct from other forms of sexual abuse, which means that professional responses and training need to be re-examined to develop new, more appropriate ways of working with victims as well as those who commit SSA. PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT The impact of this paper is both clinical and professional. It gives insight into a little-researched area and highlights the complex issues in relation to sibling sexual abuse and how this is framed and approached by professionals. This points to the critical need for more work and training in this area when working with SSA and the need for more bespoke professional knowledge.

ABSTRACT This paper provides rich detail and insight into therapeutic practice with a young person in treatment for harmful sexual behaviour (HSB). Using a single case-study design, the paper illustrates an application of the core treatment components of existing best-practice HSB frameworks when working within the context of intra-familial sexual abuse between children. The paper describes a short-term treatment comprising 10 individual sessions with a young adolescent male who engaged in intra-familial sexual abuse and attended for therapy in a private practice. Intervention targeted the HSB, healthy sexual development, and emotion regulation and included parental involvement, with observable and measurable positive outcomes. The paper emphasises the importance of adopting a holistic approach to treatment. Treatment delivery, outcomes and directions for future research are discussed in the context of the extant literature. PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENTUsing a single case-study design, this paper provides detail about intervention sessions that would otherwise be difficult to achieve in a larger scale study. The focus on the intricacies of intervention enhances the utility of this paper for researchers and practitioners in the field.

ABSTRACT Little research has explored sexual grooming behaviours in sibling sexual harm (SSH). This study investigated the characteristics of SSH, as well as the extent to which sexual grooming behaviours were used, based on the self-report of 38 individuals who were sexually harmed by a sibling. Results showed the SSH most often involved a sibling that was a juvenile themselves. In terms of SSH characteristics, fondling/kissing were the most commonly reported behaviours, and many cases of SSH occurred during afternoon and evening hours, over summer months, and within the siblings’ homes. On average, individuals who experienced SSH reported 13 out of a possible 42 sexual grooming behaviours and the most commonly endorsed sexual grooming behaviours were Victim Selection tactics, while Gaining Access and Isolation behaviours were the least endorsed. The results can be used to inform prevention, education, and policy efforts related to SSH. Practice impact statement The results of the study shed light on the common characteristics, as well as the use of sexual grooming behaviours, in sibling sexual harm cases. This information can help inform prevention, education, and policy efforts related to sibling sexual harm.

ABSTRACT Given high prevalence rates internationally for female rape and CSA and a gap in the literature regarding personality characteristics of those more likely to endorse these myths, this research sought to examine female rape myths versus child sexual abuse (CSA) myth acceptances as a function of the participants’ maladaptive personality traits and sexual trauma history. 469 adults (61.4% female, 36.5% male, M age range 35–44 years old) participated, endorsing significantly higher rates of acceptance of female rape myths than CSA myths. Sexual trauma history was unrelated to either myth. Higher scores on Antisocial, Narcissistic and Sadistic Personality Disorder scales were significantly correlated with higher rates of acceptance of both myths. Multiple regression analyses determined that higher scores on Narcissistic and Sadistic personality scales uniquely predicted both higher CSA and female rape myth acceptance. The results offer implications for more effective communications to combat false beliefs about CSA and sexual assault. PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT The results may have implications for interventions targeting false beliefs about CSA and sexual assault. Our research focuses on personality disorder traits, leading to possible implications for individuals with these traits or disorders, as they are diagnoseable and therefore can be treatable. Interventions targeting these myths generally may not be as effective for someone with these personality disorders, so this research suggests perhaps modified protocols can be created to help destigmatise CSA and rape survivors in these populations.

ABSTRACT Whilst prevalence rates of unwanted sexual experiences (USEs) and their association on Higher Education Institution students have been extensively researched for decades in the United States of America (US), there is a dearth of published studies on this topic in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland. The current study reviewed existing peer-reviewed and specific grey literature on USEs from these countries between 2000 and January 2023 (n = 48) to determine (1) prevalence rates, (2) most prevalent act, and (3) impacts of USEs on higher education students. It is evident from the included studies that prevalence rates of USE are wide ranging, with rates from 7% to 86% (Coulter & Rankin. (2020). College sexual assault and campus climate for sexual- and gender-minority undergraduate students. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 35(5-6), 1351–1366; Lorenz et al. (2019). Graduate student experiences with sexual harassment and academic and social (Dis)engagement in higher education. Journal of Women and Gender in Higher Education, 12(2), 205–223). However, findings were difficult to synthesise due to variations in definitions and measurements utilised. Students report mental health and substance use following a USE. The review concludes by providing recommendations for future research, practice, and policy. PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT This article will have wider reaching implications for research, practice, and policy in the UK and Ireland by outlining the pressing need for empirical research on USEs and the associated impacts of such among higher education institution (HEI) students in the UK and Ireland. Further, the findings from this study highlight the importance for evidence-based prevention programmes and campaigns within these regions when tackling this issue on university campuses.