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Why the Government needs to act
What do we mean by sexually harmful behaviour (SHB)?
Why would a child sexually harm another?
What’s happening now to deal with sexually harmful behaviour?
What needs to happen to make sure this problem is handled effectively?
What sort of response are we calling for?
Who in government is responsible for this issue?
What should I do if I’m concerned about a child?
Why the Government needs to act
If we are to end sexual abuse of children from all backgrounds and communities, we must address the disturbing problem that around a quarter of it is carried out by other children and young people.
Intervention with children and young people who sexually harm can help change their harmful behaviour, and so protect others they might go on to harm. Children and young people respond particularly well to treatment, because they are still developing and changing.
By responding appropriately to these children, we can help prevent future sexual abuse from happening.
What do we mean by sexually harmful behaviour (SHB)?
Sexually harmful behaviour (SHB) covers a wide range of behaviours that are not part of a child’s normal sexual exploration and development. SHB can range from sexually aggressive language to indecent exposure, through to rape. It includes forcing or coercing of another person to watch or take part in inappropriate or harmful sexual behaviour.
We use the phrase “display sexually harmful behaviour” because this identifies the behaviour as being inappropriate, harmful and wrong, rather than the child or young person. This term also makes the point that wherever the behaviour sits within the range of SHB, it is always harmful, not only to the victim but also to the perpetrator.
Why would a child sexually harm another?
While there is no “typical” young person displaying SHB, research shows that children who sexually harm have often experienced significant abuse or adversity themselves and need help with this. Their behaviour can be a result of, or reaction to experiencing one or more forms of sexual, physical or emotional abuse, neglect or domestic violence. Some of these children may still be at risk of abuse.
While some children who suffer these experiences go on to develop into healthy adulthood without help, many find it difficult to develop a sense of social boundaries, forge healthy relationships, and know how to express emotions and anger in an appropriate way.
Those who work with these children and young people have to balance the difficult reality that they are children first and foremost, who need help and protection themselves, with the need to minimise the possibility that they will harm others. The key priority needs to be providing effective intervention for those children and young people who need it.
What’s happening now to deal with sexually harmful behaviour?
At the moment, children who display similar types of harmful behaviour can be treated very differently, depending on where and how their behaviour is identified,
Research suggests that the decision as to whether a child is referred for treatment or dealt with solely via the criminal justice system is very variable, with children just as likely to end up in court as in treatment with a service. Some children might be sent to court without ever having a multi-agency assessment of their behaviour. Others who are referred for treatment might find that they can’t get help from a service in their area, because services are geographically patchy.
What needs to happen to make sure this problem is handled effectively?
Children and young people who display sexually harmful behaviour need to be responded to as children first and foremost, with assessment and treatment where it is needed, being the first concern.
All children and young people should be assessed and treated in the same way, no matter where they live in the UK or who raises concerns about their behaviour. This would mean different agencies at a local level (children’s services, schools, police, the Prosecution Service etc) all working cooperatively, to provide a consistent response to children who display SHB.
What sort of response are we calling for?
Treatment for children and young people who display sexually harmful behaviour aims to support them to deal with past experiences and emotions in order to change their behaviour and learn safer ways of interacting.
Assessment and treatment should:
• take into account the whole family or care environment, and work with family members/carers to keep everyone safe and to support work done in therapeutic sessions
• help the child to recognise their behaviour as harmful and understand the impact and harm caused to others, and be able to manage their behaviours
• work through the child’s own victimisation or experience of abuse, so they can develop coping skills and learn new positive behaviours.
Who in government is responsible for this issue?
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), set up in 2007, is responsible for taking the lead on issues relating to children, which is why in England we are addressing them with this campaign.
In Wales, Edwina Hart AM, Minister for Health and Social Services, has responsibility in the Welsh Assembly Government for these issues
We want to see a joined-up approach across Governments so that children and young people who display sexually harmful behaviour are effectively treated, wherever they live and whoever identifies them.
By supporting these children to overcome their experiences and learn safer behaviours, we can not only change their lives but also protect further children who they might harm. In this way, future sexual abuse can be prevented.
What should I do if I’m concerned about a child?
If you are worried that a child may be at risk, or have concerns about a child’s behaviour, you can phone the NSPCC’s Child Protection Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.
Calls are free, and helpline advisers are specially trained to provide information and support on keeping children safe.
If you think a child is in immediate danger, you should contact the police, otherwise the NSPCC Child Protection helpline.
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