Harmful Sexualised
Behaviour

Its ok to be curious about sex and sexual behaviour, however there are times when sexual behaviour maybe harmful to the person displaying it or the person the behaviour is aimed at.

Sexualised behaviour can be categorised into APPROPRIATE, PROBLEMATIC and HARMFUL.

APPROPRIATE: appropriate for the age and/or developmental stage for the person. Socially acceptable behaviour that doesn’t cause harm to anyone.

PROBLEMATIC (PSB): developmentally inappropriate or socially unacceptable behaviour that doesn’t have an overt element of victimisation or abuse.

HARMFUL (HSB): inappropriate for the age and/or developmental stage of the person that is harmful or abusive.

Sexualised behaviour may include:

  • Frequently and intentionally accessing age-inappropriate sexual material online
  • Using inappropriate language
  • Sexual activity
  • Sending and receiving illegal images
  • Engaging in abusive or sexually violent sexual behaviour on or offline

 

Harmful sexualised behaviour doesn’t always have to be physical- it can be CONTACT or NON-CONTACT

  • CONTACT- direct in person
  • NON-CONTACT- digital or verbal

 

Harmful Sexualised behaviour is a form of sexual abuse

  • Peer on Peer is a form of HSB where sexual abuse takes place between children of a similar age or stage of development
  • Child on Child sexual abuse is a form of HSB that takes place between children of any age or stage of development

 

Every young person is different and may become interested in relationships, sex and sexuality at different ages. As we get older the way that we express our sexual feelings changes BUT a persons sexualised behaviour should never be harmful to them or other.

If you have any questions or concerns just ask SOS

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