Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB)
Harmful Sexual Behaviour includes:
- Using sexually explicit words and phrases
- Inappropriate touching
- Using sexual violence or threats
- Full penetrative sex with other children or adults.
Children and young people who develop harmful sexual behaviour harm themselves and others.
“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.” (Derived from Hackett, 2014)
- West Yorkshire Consortium Procedures
- Harmful Sexual Behaviour Practitioner’s Toolkit
- Harmful Sexual Behaviour Pathway
- One Minute Guide – Harmful Sexual Behaviour
- CEOP Education Toolkit for 11-18s (thinkuknow.co.uk)
- https://www.everyonesinvited.uk/
National Resources
Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges: Advice for governing bodies, proprietors, head teachers, principals, senior leadership teams and designated safeguarding leads (in folder)
- Joint Targeted Area Inspection Guidance (Sexual abuse in the family environment)
- NSPCC Harmful sexual behaviour framework
- Key messages from research on children and young people who display harmful sexual behaviour
- Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges
National Support Organisations:
- NSPCC helpline: Call 0800 136 663, or help@nspcc.org.uk Opening hours: Mon to Fri 8am – 10pm or 9am – 6pm at the weekends.
- Childline: https://www.childline.org.uk
- Mind:https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/abuse/all-types-of-abuse
- The Survivors Trust: https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/find-support
Useful resources for Parents / Carers
- NSPCC Pants
- Child’s play? Preventing abuse among children and young people
- Parents Protect! is part of the Lucy Faithfull Foundation who provide resources, publications, posters and other awareness raising material that will help everyone prevent child sexual abuse.
Key Lessons from Serious Case Reviews
Legislation and National Guidance:
- HM Government – Working together to Safeguard Children (2023)
Working together to safeguard children 2023: statutory guidance (publishing.service.gov.uk) - HM Government DfE – Keeping Children Safe in Education (2023)
Keeping children safe in education 2023 (publishing.service.gov.uk) - HM Government Home Office – Violence against Women and Girls (2021)
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1005630/Tackling_Violence_Against_Women_and_Girls_Strategy-July_2021-FINAL.pdf
- Ofsted – Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (2021) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-sexual-abuse-in-schools-and-colleges/review-of-sexual-abuse-in-schools-and-colleges
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