Sexually Harmful Behaviour
- What is Sexually Harmful Behaviour?
- Identifying Sexually Harmful Behaviour
- What's Normal: Stages of Sexual Development
- Referring Sexually Harmful Behaviour
- Multi-agency Response
- Risk Assessment
- Youth Justice Response
What is Sexually Harmful Behaviour?
Sexually harmful behaviour is the term used to describe children or young people who sexually abuse other children, young people or adults. The sexual abuse perpetrated by children can be just as harmful as that perpetrated by an adult, so it is important to remember the impact on the victim of the abuse as well as to focus on the treatment of the child or young person exhibiting the sexually harmful behaviour.
Research suggests that between 25 – 33% of all sexual abuse is perpetrated by young people between the ages of 10 – 19 years old (Cawson et al 2000; Finkelhor, 1979; and Home Office, 1998).
While there is not yet sufficient evidence to show how many children using sexually abusive behaviour go on to a ‘career’ of sexual abuse, research suggests that 50% of adult sex offenders admit to having started their sexual offending as adolescents (Abel et al, 1985).
It is therefore important that reports of apparently abusive/inappropriate sexual behaviour by a child or young person are taken seriously and responded to appropriately. The earlier the identification of the sexually abusive behaviour, the greater the potential for intervention before it has the potential to develop further and become more entrenched.
It is important to avoid stigmatising age-appropriate, developmental behaviour. It is crucial to be able to differentiate between sexual behaviour that is appropriate for the developmental stage of both participants, and sexual behaviour that is either age-inappropriate and/or abusive in nature, and requires intervention.
See more statistics on sexually harmful behaviour (external link).
Identifying Sexually Harmful Behaviour
The NSPCC state that an imbalance of power is a key factor in sexually harmful behaviour. As a rule, a difference of two or more years is sufficient to cause a significant imbalance of power between children and young people - although power differentials can exist regardless of age.
It is important to consider the dynamics in the relationship between the alleged perpetrator and victim, and to differentiate mutual, consensual sexual behaviour from sexual behaviour where issues of power difference, use of coercion/force, the victim’s experience, and other factors, indicate abusive behaviour requiring further investigation and intervention.
Guidelines created by Cunningham and MacFarlane (1991) are useful in responding to seemingly inappropriate behaviour by younger children. For the three age groups, they differentiate between levels of sexual behaviour which are developmentally appropriate and do not therefore require intervention, and those which require further assessment as being ‘Abnormal/ Abusive’.
What's Normal: Stages of Sexual Development
| Ages | Expected development | Worrying development |
|---|---|---|
| 0 - 5 years | Intense curiosity about others' bodies and bathroom activities. Masturbation (touching genitals) from infancy/pre-school continues as a self-soothing behaviour, generally are indiscreet. Behaviour is exploratory. May show genitalia to others in a curiosity seeking way. Children at this stage respond quickly to re-direction. | Curiosity becomes obsessive pre-occupation. Exploration becomes re-enactment of specific adult sexual activity. Behaviour involves coercion toward others or injury to themselves. Cannot be re-directed - "stuck" behaviour - makes them feel less anxious. |
| 6 - 10 years (Latency) | Continue to touch and fondle their own genitals, evolving to masturbation. More secretive about self-touching/curiosity. Seeking turns to game-play ("I'll show you mine…show me yours"), play "doctor". | Sexual penetration. Genital kissing. Oral copulation Simulated intercourse. Putting objects inside self/others. |
| 10-12 years (Pre-adolescence) | Masturbation continues. Some same gender sexual experiences and viewing of others' bodies, especially of the gender they are attracted to. Interest in pornographic materials (Playboy, Penthouse, etc). Sexual activity with peers, which includes, but is not limited to, kissing, fondling, sometimes penetration. | Sexual play with younger or more vulnerable children and young people (or vulnerable adults), behaviour involves coercion, bribes, and threats. Other
|
Adapted from: Cunningham & MacFarlane: 'When Children Molest Children', 1991.
Referring Sexually Harmful Behaviour
Research suggests that both workers and parents tend to minimise the seriousness of sexually harmful behaviour, dismissing it as 'normal development'.
A worker who suspects sexually abusive behaviour should consult their Designated Child Protection Officer to determine whether or not the behaviour needs to be referred through to children’s social care and/or the police. The First Response Service should be consulted if there is any doubt that the behaviour is appropriate and consentual.
Where the alleged perpetrator is below the age of criminal responsibility (under 10 years old), the question of prosecution will not arise. It is nevertheless still important that the behaviour is reported to children’s social care who will then decide on appropriate action for the perpetrating child and the victim.
Multi-Agency Response
The purpose of a strategy discussion/meeting is to plan and co-ordinate the enquiry stage of the investigation. There may be occasions when more than one strategy discussion/meeting is required.
Where the child or young person who has allegedly perpetrated the abuse is considered to potentially be a child in need of protection, this next stage of planning will be done as part of a child protection conference. A professional with specialist therapeutic knowledge, such as a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service - CAMHS (exteral link) representative, should be present at the child protection conference.
Where the conference does not result in the development of a child protection plan, the child or young person’s need to have their sexually abusive behaviour addressed should be met through a child in need plan.
Risk Assessment
For all young people who are alleged to have used sexually abusive behaviour a risk assessment and management plan should be drawn up.
The risk assessment must cover:
- The nature of the risk
- The likelihood and imminence of the risk
- Factors which may raise or reduce risk
- Possible consequences of further sexually abusive behaviour
- Risk to the young person including their vulnerability to further allegations
- Risk to sibling and family members
- Risk to peers including friends, fellow pupils in educational establishments and those they are in contact with in voluntary activities, for example youth clubs / scouts / guides / cadets
- Risk to members of the public
Both specific people at risk and at risk groups should be identified.
A plan should then be made to manage the risk. This should include:
- What actions need to be taken to manage the risk
- Who will take the action
- The timescale and/or frequency of the action
The risk assessment and management plan should be shared with:
- Parents and carers
- The young person
- Education worker
- Social care worker
- The police (external link) (Child Abuse Investigation Team - CAIT)
- Therapeutic professionals, such as CAMHS (exteral link)
- Where a prosecution is likely, the local Youth Offending Service
Youth Justice Response
The Youth Offending Service will notify the relevant Children and Young People’s Service of any young people entering the court process for a sexual offence and will update them about progress after each hearing.
Young people convicted of a sexual offence will generally be supervised by the Youth Offending Service. Those young people assessed as presenting a high risk of harm will be managed through the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements.
Where a young person ends their contact with the Youth Offending Service and is still assessed as a high risk the final risk assessment will be passed to the police, for using in Basic Command Unit MAPPA meetings, and to the relevant Children and Young People’s Service.
Research
- Cawson et al (2000). Child Maltreatment in the United Kingdom: A Study of the Prevalence of Child Abuse and Neglect. London. NSPCC.
- Finkelhor, D. (1979). Sexually victimised children. New York. Free Press.
- Abe, G.G, Mittelman, M.S. and Becker, J.V. (1985) ‘Sex Offenders: results of assessment and recommendations for treatment’, in Ben-Ron, M.H, Hucker, S.J and Webster, C.J. (eds). Clinical Criminology: The Assessment and Treatment of Criminal Behaviour, Toronto, M& M. Graphics.