At various points in children’s development, they become more aware of their bodies, their emotions and their sexual interest increases. Particularly around puberty and beyond, young people will begin to explore and understand their sexuality.

Harmful Sexual Behaviour involves sexual behaviour that is not appropriate to their developmental stage or which is harmful to them or to others. HSB can include peer abuse and sexual harassment. This is a complex and challenging issue that requires case and sensitivity. It is important to work with the young person displaying the HSB, helping them to understand acceptable and unacceptable behviours, protecting them from harm and protecting others from harm. It is also important to support the victims of the behaviour, although it is also important to remember that some will not see themselves as victimsand may regard the sexual contact as consensual. It is also important to support the parents of both the child involved in the behaviour and the victim’s parents.

It is recognised that a simple perpetrator / victim model may be inadequate to understand asns respond to HSB. The serious and abusive nature of this behaviour must not be downplayed, however, we need to remember that we are not dealing with an adult who understands the abusive nature of the behaviour, but a child whose understanding may be limited. Where this behaviour is developmentally inappropriate, consideration needs to be given to the causes of this behaviour and whether it is itself evidence of prior sexual abuse.

Harmful sexual behaviour would include:

• Showing sexual behaviour that’s inappropriate for their age
• Sexual behaviour that’s becoming a compulsive habit or happening frequently
• Behaviour using force, aggression or corecision
• Engaging in behaviour that upsets other children involved
• Sexual interest in adults or children of very different ages to their own
• If the sexualised behaviour is impacting on other areas of life such as their school work, relationships or social life
• Using pornography or sending explicit images online, particularly without someone’s consent
• Any sexual behaviour that is harmful to themselves or others. 

There is a range of information and guidance available about harmful sexual behaviour including:

Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges (publishing.service.gov.uk)

The relationship between pornography use and harmful sexual behaviours – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The following videos may be helpful.