Project Summary

Digital Stories for Change The Decision

Rosamarie Oliveras Corsino & Isamar Boneta Rosado
Angels at Service FCCLA Chapter
Tomas Maso Rivera School
Puerto Rico, Southern Region
Purpose of the Project
From our point of view, making a video that allows the viewer to see the effects of ignoring this
kind of situation, sibling abuse, will have a greater impact than just giving tips on how to stop it.
This way, the person will see how serious the problem is and will do their best to prevent it. And
we believe that its easier to open someones eyes by showing them, directly, the problem and its
consequences, than just warning or informing them verbally or written.
Relationship to Family and Consumer Sciences and Related Careers
This project focuses on several FACS national standards, as well as Reasoning for Action
standards.
FACS national standards:
12.2.4 Analyze the effects of life events on individuals' physical, intellectual, social,
moral, and emotional development.
Reason: Jane has been through many negative events throughout her
whole life. Her father isnt present, her brother abuses/bullies her, in and
out of school, and her mother does not care about whats occurring.
The impact these events had on Janes life are the following:
Physically: Scars, bruises and even broken bones.
Emotionally: Constant fear and anxiety.
Morally: Due to these, and more, events, Jane sees violence and
aggression as a morally correct solution to her problems.
13.2.1 Analyze the effects of personal characteristics on relationships.
Reason: People with aggressive and dominant personalities (or
characteristics) believe that they can control anyone with a more passive,
timid or peaceful personality. In this situation, Jane was passive,
intelligent and shy young girl. These were traits that her older, stronger
and manipulative brother saw as weaknesses and decided to make his
sister some kind of slave. He forced her to do what he demanded, or she
would be punished.
13.4.1 Analyze the origin and development of attitudes and behaviors regarding conflict.
Reason: When Jane was being questioned by the detective, she seemed
and acted like she didnt care at all; it was like if killing her older brother
was nothing serious/important. These attitudes and new personality are
the result or effect of:
The abuse she was receiving for years.

Her mothers ignorance and preference.

Being ignored and not receiving the attention and love she
deserved.

15.1.3 Analyze consequences of parenting practices to the individual, family, and

society.
Reason: Janes mother seemed like she preferred Evan over Jane and/or
she just cared more about other things in her life than what was going on
in her own family. She never educated her children like they needed; she
never taught them love and respect, that family should be protected, that
each one of them had their own responsibilities and that violence is never
the answer.
15.2.4 Assess the effects of abuse and neglect on children and families and determine
methods for prevention.
Reason: People should pay more attention to the signs that indicate that
someone is being abuse in any way, by anyone. In this particular case, the
mother ignored each and every sign, and even accused the girl of lying.
Jane followed the conflict solving process, as well as the decision making
process, almost entirely. But she made a horrific mistake. She chose the
wrong option. Family members should look for non-aggressive options to
prevent or resolve the conflict.
Reasoning for Action standards:
3.2

Analyze short-term and long-term consequences on self, family, culture/society,

and global environment.
Reason: Jane took the decision of ending the problem by killing her
brother, but she didnt think about the short and long term consequences.
For example; her having to do time in jail and all the suffering the mother
will go through. The mother was another one that didnt think before she
acted. Instead of listening to the reasons of why Jane accused Evan of
being abusive, she slapped her daughter, subliminally accusing her of
lying. Thanks to this, and more, Jane was forced to resolve the problem on
her own. But in this family, Evan wont be an exception. The decisions
this young man made were for his own benefit, but he never taught of how
it would all end. He never taught of the consequences. He yelled at his
sister, demanded her to do his work, he would beat her up if she didnt
follow his orders and he would humiliate her at their school. This all
ended when Jane got tired of the abuse and acted the way she was taught;
with violence and aggression. In the end, he caused his own death.

Research and Background Information

According to some experts, sibling abuse is more common than spousal or child abuse.
According to Dr. Straus, 74 percent of children have pushed or shoved their sibling, 85
percent engage verbal aggression against their siblings in a daily basis and 42 percent go
further; theyll kick, bite and punch their siblings.

 Studies say 53% of children have committed at least one act of severe aggression towards
their siblings.
Studies show that sisters are more likely to be picked on my brothers than vice versa.
It is said that 3 in every 100 children are dangerously violent to their siblings.
Research indicate that sibling bullying/abuse can have the same amount of harmful and
negative mental effects as peer bullying.
FCCLA National Programs offer opportunities for members to increase awareness and
manage or prevent violence using techniques learned in the FACS class such as; the
conflict solving process.
Goal
Our goal and focus is to show the world, not only FCCLA members, that sibling abuse is
not a normal sibling interaction. We want to expose the real consequences of not paying
attention to the signs and ignoring the problem like it isnt a threat. This video, hopefully, will
help us create awareness and will help us educate those who arent aware of such a delicate, yet
serious, problem such as sibling abuse. Sibling abuse has been overlooked and ignored for many,
many years its time for people to know. This is the moment to take action; its time to help
and hopefully, with this project we will plant a seed and help it grow to reduce the sibling
incidence.