How to Deal With an Abusive Sibling

Dealing with an Abusive Sibling

It can be difficult and upsetting to deal with an abusive sibling, but there are ways to cope with the situation. Here are some tips for dealing with an abusive sibling.

• Find a safe space. If your home is an unsafe environment due to your sibling’s behavior, it may be possible to stay with friends, family, or other trusted people. If that isn’t an option, look into school or organization resources that can provide safe and supportive environments.
• Talk to someone. If you are feeling overwhelmed and need someone to talk to, find someone you trust and be honest about what’s going on. Speaking with a parent, a school counselor, or another trusted adult can be very helpful in understanding how to handle the situation and dealing with the emotional burden.
• Set healthy boundaries. Abusive behavior is a violation of trust. One way to regain this trust and protect yourself from further abuse is to set healthy boundaries and establish that disrespecting them will have consequences. Let your sibling know what behaviors you will not accept and be sure to follow through.
• Seek help. If the situation does not improve after trying these strategies, consider seeking outside help from a therapist, support group, or other professional resources. It is important to take care of yourself and understand that the situation is not your fault.