Not Child's Play

Not Child’s Play courageously dismantles the veil of silence surrounding the pervasive issue of brother-sister incest. Through the powerful narratives of 35 survivors who endured years of sexual assault by their brothers, the profound trauma and devastation inflicted by this hidden form of abuse are brought to light. These women, expressing themselves through prose, poetry, and visual art, boldly expose long-concealed family secrets and injuries that have lingered in the shadows of shame and silence for far too long.

The release of this 2nd edition of Not Child’s Play features a new preface, new foreword and afterword. Originally published in 2000, the book explores this most difficult topic in an extraordinarily courageous and unprecedented way. The 2nd edition comes at a crucial juncture when discussions about sexual abuse, particularly against women and girls, have gained prominence in public discourse, notably through initiatives like #MeToo. Despite this heightened awareness, survivors of brother-sister incest have lacked a comparable platform until now, with the emergence of Not Child’s Play. This book once again amplifies the compelling voices of these survivors, issuing a stirring call for accountability and healing.

Not Child’s Play serves to amplify and honor the experiences of sibling sexual abuse survivors, while fostering conversation, accountability, and compassion among families, perpetrators, and bystanders. This compelling and brave book extends an invitation to readers to witness and actively engage in addressing these issues. The book serves as a lifeline to survivors who have been suffering in silence and isolation. The courageous voices in its pages encourage us all to create a world where sibling sexual abuse is acknowledged and dismantled, where further harm is prevented, and where survivors can reclaim what was stolen from them. Not Child’s Play demands attention. The moment for acknowledgment has arrived. Indeed, it is long overdue.

Risa Shaw is a revolutionary author, educator, artist, outspoken activist, and survivor who has spent over five decades confronting the silence and stigma around Sibling Sexual Abuse (SSA). She is committed to truth-telling to address the abuse, shame, self-blame, self-hatred, and damage done not only to her, but to every survivor of sibling incest. With the groundbreaking release of Not Child's Play: An Anthology on Brother-Sister Incest in 2000, and its second edition in 2023, Risa is one of the first in the U.S. to center SSA survivors and amplify their stories. She collaborates with young people on consent, boundaries, accountability, and repair, helping usher in a new generation of prevention and survivor-led change. Connect with her online at notchildsplay.com and linktr.ee/notchildsplay.