Amy Adams

The quality and dynamics of sibling relationships, in the context of abusive sibling sexual behaviour

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Amy's research will aim to explore the nuances and dynamics of child and adult sibling relationships in the context of abusive sibling sexual behaviour. A considerable literature has been written about the significance of sibling relationships across the lifespan, with sibling relationships thought to be one of the most enduring and important relationships an individual will have (White and Hughes, 2018). Of the current research available it is suggested that sexually abusive sibling relationships are often intertwined and impacted by wider family dysfunction, prior victimisation; and manifestations of rigid gender roles, parental absence/favouritism, unclear sexual boundaries, and power imbalances 

Qualifications

  • BA Criminal Justice Studies, the University of Bradford
  • MEd Psychology of Education, the University of Manchester
  • MA Social Research, the University of Birmingham 

Biography

Amy is an ESRC-funded doctoral researcher, her interest areas are sibling sexual abuse and behaviour, family and sibling relationships, family systems and qualitative and review methodologies. Amy has held several research assistant roles, and is currently a research assistant on a project which, in partnership with the University of West England and Thriving Survivors, will develop an outcomes and evaluation guide for sibling sexual abuse.  She has carried out and authored the scoping review ‘Family characteristics, responses and dynamics: A scoping review’.  

Amy has contributed to the largest scoping review on sibling sexual abuse to date and has co-authored the seminal text ‘Understanding and Responding to Sibling Sexual Abuse’. Amy has carried out extensive work on the Home Office National Siblings Sexual Abuse Project, which includes, for the first time, research using police freedom of information data to ascertain incidence rates of sibling sexual abuse. This research was discussed on the BBC File on Four radio show and by Wera Hobhouse MP, in West Minster. Amy has also delivered several conference presentations on sibling sexual abuse and supported the Channel 4 Hollyoaks production team in developing their current storyline on sibling sexual abuse.  

Conference papers

  • Adams, A. (2023) Work in Progress presentation of PhD research on SSA. Sibling Sexual Abuse Mapping Tool: Pilot Event. The University of Birmingham 
  • Adams, A. & Russell, D. (2024) Developing KPI and evaluation criteria in practice: Sibling Sexual Behaviour/Abuse. Developing professional policy and understanding of the role of EpiCrim in preventing and responding to sexual abuse. The University West of England 
  • Adams, A. (2024) Family characteristics, responses and dynamics associated with sibling sexual abuse: A scoping review. NOTA conference. 
  • Yates, P. & Adams, A. (2024) Sibling Sexual Abuse: What do we know? What do we need to know? Stage 1 analysis of a 2-stage scoping review. ‘Focusing on and responding to sibling sexual abuse and trauma’. Thriving Survivors Annual Conference

Publications

Adams, A. (2024) Family responses, characteristics and dynamics associated with sibling sexual abuse: A scoping review. Child Abuse & Neglect.  

King-Hill, S., McCartan, K., Gilsenan, A., Beavis, J. & Adams, A., (2023) Understanding and Responding to Sibling Sexual Abuse. Palgrave Macmillan.   

Yates, P., Mullins, E., Adams, A., and Kewley, S. (under review) Sibling Sexual Abuse: What do we know? What do we need to know? Stage 1 analysis of a 2-stage scoping review. Child Abuse and Neglect  

A, Adams., & E, Crosby. (2022). Establishing the prevalence of sibling sexual abuse as reported to and recorded by police forces across England and Wales.

Isham, L., and Adams, A. (under review) Social workers’ experiences of working with older adults affected by abuse and violence: a scoping review of the international literature. Journal of Social Work 

Adams (2024) Society is finally paying attention to sibling sexual abuse and behaviour, but what is next? The social sciences University of Birmingham blog  

Adams, A., King-Hill, S., Russell, D., & McCartan, K. (2024) Pornography exposure and sibling sexual abuse and behaviour. Nota blog