{
  "id": 17981893,
  "title": "How to reduce harmful sexual behavior and protect your kids and their peers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/how-to-reduce-harmful-sexual-behavior-and-protect-your-kids-and-their",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-03T15:40:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-11-sexual-behavior-kids-peers.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Recent media reports of alleged sexual assaults by teenage boys have highlighted a troubling issue: young people sometimes engage in harmful sexual behavior towards their peers. A comprehensive study of over 8,500 Australians aged 16 and older found that nearly one-third (28.5%) had experienced child sexual abuse, with over half of these cases perpetrated by individuals under 18. Young people aged 16-24 were more likely to report sexual abuse by another young person (18.2%) than by an adult (11.7%).\n\nResearch indicates that many individuals who have caused harm through sexual behavior have experienced their own childhood maltreatment. However, this does not mean that abuse inevitably leads to harmful behavior. Other factors associated with these behaviors include exposure to pornography, domestic and family violence, and unstable home environments. Harmful sexual behavior encompasses a range of actions from coercion and threats to exploitation and can occur both online and offline, often involving disparities in age, developmental capacity, physical strength, or gender.\n\nRecognizing this spectrum of behaviors, researchers and treatment providers use the term \"harmful sexual behavior\" to describe sexual actions displayed by individuals under 18 that cause harm. Using non-stigmatizing language such as \"harmful sexual behavior\" encourages individuals to seek help and remain engaged in treatment, which is crucial for their recovery and responsibility-taking. To help prevent and respond to harmful sexual behavior, an online resource hub called Together We Can has been created, offering evidence-aligned resources to professionals, parents, and young people. This hub has been tested by health professionals, parents, and young people to ensure its effectiveness.\n\nPrevention is possible. Parents and caregivers can start by having age-appropriate conversations about bodily autonomy, boundaries, consent, respectful relationships, and the impacts of pornography and online influences. Engaging with schools to ensure child-safe policies are in place and being a positive role model are also crucial. Knowing the difference between developmentally appropriate, problematic, and harmful behaviors is essential for appropriate responses. Problematic behaviors are generally unusual for a child's age or development and may occur repeatedly despite adult intervention, causing distress. Harmful behaviors are highly intrusive, violate another person's safety and dignity, and often occur in contexts of power imbalances.\n\nParents and caregivers should take harmful sexual behavior seriously, believe children who disclose, reassure them that they are not at fault, prioritize their safety, and seek professional support. Early intervention can significantly impact young people who have caused harm, as research suggests many do not become adult sexual offenders with timely therapeutic support. Involving parents and caregivers in treatment is also important, as it can increase the likelihood of successful treatment completion. While this can be challenging for parents, seeking support from friends or professionals can help alleviate isolation. With the right support, most children can learn to make safer choices, and families can heal and recover.",
  "summary": "Recent media reports of alleged sexual assaults by teenage boys draw attention to an uncomfortable truth: Young people sometimes perpetrate harmful sexual behavior against their peers.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}