Showcase Magazine Autumn 2025 - Flipbook - Page 24
NOOKIE
KNOWLEDGE
Harmful Sexual Behaviour
Harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) is sexual behaviour expressed by children or young people that is
developmentally inappropriate, abusive, or harmful to themselves or others. It can cover a wide
range of actions from using sexual language that is beyond what is expected for a child’s age, to
sexual touching or abuse of other children. It’s important to remember that some sexual behaviour in
children and young people is normal and healthy, depending on their age and stage of
development, but when it crosses certain boundaries, for example if it involves coercion, secrecy,
significant age difference, or lack of consent, it can be harmful. This links to Child on Child Abuse.
Examples of HSB:
Sexual touching without consent
Sexual harassment, such as sharing sexual images, sexual jokes or
comments
Forcing or pressuring someone to take part in sexual activity
Sharing or making sexual images (including online)
Sexual activity with a much younger child, or with a child who can’t
understand or consent
Sibling sexual behaviour or abuse
Sibling Sexual Behaviour and Abuse
Sibling sexual behaviour is when sexual behaviour takes place between
brothers and sisters, step-siblings, half-siblings or other children living
together.
Sibling sexual abuse is when this behaviour is coercive, abusive or
exploitative, for example, when an older child manipulates, forces or
pressures a sibling into sexual acts.
Sibling sexual abuse is often hidden. Families may find it hard to believe or
talk about it, and children may feel confused or guilty because they love and
trust their sibling. Because siblings have close, everyday contact, the harm
can be repeated and cause deep, lasting trauma.
Potential Causes
Exposure to sexual content
Unsupervised internet use
Experiencing abuse or neglect
Peer influence
Trauma or family difficulties
Lack of education
What To Do:
If you suspect or know about harmful
sexual behaviour, whether it’s by a child
towards another child, between siblings, or
involving online activity, it must be taken
seriously.
Never assume it will just stop by itself.
Children who display HSB need help to
understand and change their behaviour.
Children who are victims need protection
and support to recover.
You should:
Record what you know or have seen
Talk to your safeguarding lead (in a
school or setting)
Contact children’s social care or the
police if a child is at risk
Seek advice: organisations like NSPCC,
Stop It Now! and Lucy Faithfull
Foundation offer support.
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