Breaking the Silence: First Documented Case of Sibling Sexual Abuse in Bangladesh

Sibling sexual abuse (SSA) involves non-consensual or coercive sexual acts between siblings and is often overlooked, especially in conservative societies such as Bangladesh. This article reports the first documented case of SSA in Bangladesh, involving a 17-year-old boy who repeatedly sexually abused his 14-year-old brother over a year through threats and coercion. The abuse was discovered by their mother. The elder brother showed signs of sexual addiction and anxiety, while the younger developed major depressive disorder with suicidal thoughts. Both received antidepressant medication and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), leading to improvement. The case reveals key risk factors such as a single-parent family, poor supervision, early sexual exposure, and limited privacy. It highlights the profound psychological effects of SSA on both victims and perpetrators, as well as the cultural stigma that hinders disclosure and intervention. The study calls for greater awareness, culturally sensitive mental health services, and the establishment of protective frameworks. It urges health professionals, educators, and policymakers to treat SSA as a public health concern, ensuring early detection, appropriate intervention, and long-term support for affected families.