Sibling abuse

Sibling abuse is the physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse of one sibling by another. It is estimated that as many as three in 100 children are dangerously abusive towards a sibling. Such numbers would make sibling abuse more common than child abuse by parents or spousal abuse. There are delicate lines between sibling rivalry and sibling abuse, such that many cases are discounted and ignored under the label of normal and healthy competition. Sibling abuse is extreme, traumatizing and pathological physical or psychological abuse by one sibling (usually older or larger) onto the other, whereas sibling rivalry, even in its most pronounced form, is a common and solvable problem which is rarely damaging to a child and is often dealt with through parental supervision and intervention. Sibling abuse is significantly more likely to occur in dysfunctional, neglectful and/or abusive homes, and often reflects a lack of appropriate boundaries and discipline on the part of the parents. [ [http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/yourchild/sibabuse.htm University of Michigan Health System: Sibling abuse] ]

It is generally rare for the police to get involved, particularly if both parties are under the age of 15, and usually parental or church intervention is most recommended.

Sibling abuse has only recently become the subject of serious study and concern.Fact|date=February 2007 Because children are thought to be in a position of significantly less power than a parent or guardian and therefore less capable of abuse, the idea of sibling abuse was only acknowledged to exist in the last few years. It is far less recognized than spousal or child abuse and considered less dangerous, although siblings who are a great dealer larger and older than their younger counterparts may in fact be capable of lethal violence towards their victims. [ [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,21484,00.html Time Magazine: Reluctant Referees] ]

A media related example of this kind of abuse can be seen on the Made-For-TV Movie "My Son, Johnny" starring Corin Nemec as a severely abused boy, victimized by his older brother, Johnny, played by Rick Schroder. His abuse is so severe that one night the boy takes his mothers shot gun and shoots Johnny dead. Sadly this is specifically based on the true events of the Michael Lombardo case - a fifteen year old boy who shot his nineteen year old brother Francis "Frankie" Lombardo dead after a life time of sibling abuse in 1985.Fact|date=July 2008 This story made major headlines because of the fact Michael was acquitted for charges of First Degree Murder and being tried as an adult, never having been in trouble with the law prior to this case. Sadder still is the death of Michael himself in 1989 after fearing prison once again.

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