Problematic and Harmful Sexual Behaviours
Children First (2022) defines problematic and harmful sexual behaviours as:
'Sexual behaviours by children and young people under the age of 18 years that fall outside the range of expected activity for a child’s age and stage of development. They may be developmentally inappropriate, harmful towards self or others, or abusive towards another child, young person or adult (derived from Hackett, 2014).' p.2
Children First 2022-2031: Our shared framework for preventing and responding to problematic and harmful sexual behaviours by children and young people. NSW Health
Children and young people will display sexual behaviour that is typical for their age and stage of development. However, for many different reasons, some sexual behaviour displayed by children and young people will raise concerns for adults as well as other children and young people who may witness or be harmed by those behaviours.
Rosie’s Place supports children and young people who have been harmed by PHSB and children under the age of 12 who have displayed PHSB. For more information, please call or send us an email.
Information Sheets for PHSB
This resource is for parents, carers and workers who are responding to children and young people who have displayed sexual behaviours. Parents, carers and some workers (including educators etc) are often the first adults to respond to sexual behaviours displayed by children and young people.
