Identifying Harmful Sexual Behaviours

Definition of HSB: “Sexual behaviours expressed by children and young people under the age of 18 years old that are developmentally inappropriate, may be harmful towards self or others, or be abusive towards another child, young person or adult.” (Hackett, 2014).

It is important that sexual behaviours displayed by children and young people are recognised at the earliest opportunity and identified correctly. All children have a healthy sexual developmental pathway and this needs to be recognised in order to understand when sexual behaviour may be inappropriate or harmful for their age and stage of development so the child can be properly supported.

Hackett’s (2010) Continuum of Behaviour can support in identifying when behaviour might be healthy, inappropriate, problematic, abusive or violent.

If behaviours are identified as inappropriate, usually some education is all that is needed to ensure a child is aware of the concerns and what is expected of them instead.

However, if behaviour is identified as problematic, abusive or harmful a more specialist assessment will be needed to identify the correct support and intervention for everyone involved.

Find useful resources about HSB