How to reduce harmful sexual behaviour and protect your kids and their peers

Recent reports of teenage boys facing sexual assault allegations have highlighted a troubling issue: young individuals sometimes engage in harmful sexual behavior towards their peers. According to a comprehensive Australian study, nearly a third (28.5%) of people aged 16 and over reported experiencing child sexual abuse, with the majority of perpetrators being under 18. Among the youngest age group surveyed (16-24 years), sexual abuse by another young person was more common than by an adult (18.2% compared to 11.7%).

Understanding the factors behind such behavior is crucial. Studies show that many young people who have caused harm due to their sexual actions have themselves experienced abuse. However, this does not mean that experiencing abuse always leads to harming others. Other risk factors include exposure to pornography, witnessing domestic and family violence, and unstable or sexualized home environments.

Harmful sexual behavior can manifest in various ways, including coercion, threats, exploitation, and can occur both online and offline. It often involves power imbalances due to age, developmental capacity, physical strength, or gender differences, such as between siblings or peers. The severity and frequency of these behaviors can vary.

To reduce harmful sexual behavior, it is essential to adopt a non-stigmatizing approach using terms like "harmful sexual behavior" to encourage help-seeking and treatment engagement. An online resource hub called "Together We Can" has been developed to provide evidence-based resources for professionals, parents, and young people to prevent and respond to harmful sexual behavior. This hub, the first of its kind in Australia, has been tested by health professionals, parents, and young people.

Parents and caregivers can play a significant role in preventing harmful sexual behavior by starting conversations about bodily autonomy early. These discussions should cover body safety, boundaries, consent, respectful relationships, and the impacts of pornography and online influences like the manosphere. Schools and childcare centers should also have child-safe organizational policies in place, which parents can inquire about and participate in implementing.

Children often learn from adults' behavior, so it is vital for adults to model respect, equality, and appropriate discussions about sex and consent. It is important to differentiate between developmentally appropriate behaviors, such as asking questions about physical differences, and problematic or harmful behaviors that are unusual for a child's age or development and may cause distress.

When addressing concerning behaviors, it is crucial to recognize the difference between problematic and harmful sexual behaviors. Problematic behaviors are typically unusual for a child's age or development and may occur repeatedly despite adult intervention. Harmful behaviors, on the other hand, are highly intrusive and violate another person's safety and dignity, often occurring in contexts of power imbalances.

Parents and caregivers should take harmful sexual behavior seriously, believe children who disclose, reassure them they are not to blame, prioritize their safety, and seek appropriate support. Early intervention is crucial for the young person who caused harm, as research suggests that many young people do not continue to sexually offend as adults, especially with timely therapeutic support.

Parents' involvement in treatment is also vital, as staying engaged increases the likelihood of successful outcomes. However, parents' well-being is equally important, and seeking support from trusted friends or professionals is encouraged when dealing with such situations.