Sibling violence occurs when one or more siblings cause intentional physical or psychological harm, injury or death to another sibling by utilizing a range of behaviors including humiliation, threats or the use of weapons.
Facts and implications about sibling abuse
Sibling violence is one of the most common forms of family violence, but because parents often misunderstand the severity of the problem, or chalk it up to “kids being kids”, they often fail to report this type of domestic abuse. Truths about sibling violence include:
- Nearly 82 percent of children engage in violent acts toward siblings at some point
- Violence among male siblings is more common than violence among female siblings
- Abuse tends to decrease as age and communication skills increase
- Parental domestic violence against children is a predictor of sibling violence
- Victims can experience difficulties forming meaningful parental, peer and intimate relationships
- Sibling abuse is a predictor of future dating violence
- Abused siblings can suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and flashbacks
Early-life trauma can lead to battery charges in adulthood
Under Florida law, domestic violence is an assault, sexual assault, battery or criminal offense that results in the injury or death of a household member by another household member. This is a first-degree misdemeanor that may carry a penalty of one-year probation or incarceration as well as a $1000 fine. A judge may also issue a No Contact Order and order an offender to complete a Batterer’s Intervention Program.
Domestic violence is serious at any stage of life and can leave victims with long-lasting trauma. If you face a domestic battery or assault charge in Florida, understanding your rights is key to building your defense.
