What is harmful sexual behaviour?

Harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) is a term used to describe sexual actions that are outside what is safe for a young person’s stage of development. It includes behaviours that can harm either the child or young person themselves, or another person.

It isn’t always easy to tell the difference between abusive and normal sexual behaviours in children. Children, particularly in younger age groups, might engage in such behaviour without knowing that it is wrong or abusive.

• Lucy Faithful, Stop it Now Parents Protect  website contains information to help to understand if a child’s sexual behaviour is age appropriate.
• There are helpful preventing harmful sexual behaviour toolkit for parents, carers and professionals that can be accessed on the Stop it Now website and csepoliceandprevention.org website. 

Further information about preventing harmful sexual behaviour also be found on specific pages of the Stop it Now website