Harmful sexual behaviour

Harmful sexual behaviour is harmful both to the child it is inflicted on and the child displaying it, and requires immediate attention and reaction from adults.

Harmful sexual behaviour can often be characterised as being excessive, secretive, violating, forceful, regressive or threatening.

Some characteristics of sexual behaviours which cause harm:

An imbalance of power, maturity and age between the involved parties

Use of threats, coercion or force

Lack of consent

Typically acceptable behaviour, but is unacceptable in the current context

A not insignificant amount of secrecy and/or planning

Behaviour escalates despite attempts to stop it

The victim of a sexual violation displays negative emotions like fear and anger, potentially having an outburst or closing off

Harmful sexual behaviours – examples

Children under 5 years

Simulation of sexual touch or sexual activity

Persistently touching the genitals/private
parts of others

Sexual behaviour between young children involving penetration

Forcing other children to engage in sexual activity

Children between 5 – 9 years

Compulsive masturbation also in front of others

Accessing the rooms of sleeping children to touch or engage in sexual activity

Persistent bullying and threatening involving sexual aggression

Simulation of, or participation in, sexual activities e.g. oral sex or sexual intercourse

Children between 9 – 12 years

Sexual activity like intercourse or oral sex

Force or coercion of others into sexual activity

Engaging vulnerable others in a process to gain sexual activity

Compulsive masturbation

Children between 13 – 18 years

Compulsive or public masturbation

To gain sexual
activity by using grooming techniques e.g. gifts, manipulation, lies

Preoccupation with sexually aggressive and/or
illegal pornography

Sexual harrasment and threatening

Sexual contact with animals

Sexual activity in exchange for money, goods,
accommodation, drugs or alcohol

For additional examples of harmful sexual behaviours, refer to “Trafikklyset” in Norwegian. Additionally, explore the “Sexual Behaviours Traffic Light Tool” created by Brook, and the “Traffic Lights tool” developed by TRUE (True Relationships & Reproductive Health) for comparable resources in English.

Characteristics of harmful sexual behaviour in children and young people

There may be several causes as to why children display harmful sexual behaviour.

It can be the result of unfortunate sexual experimentation, or maybe a reaction caused by emotional, physical or sexual assault or neglect. Some display this behaviour after having been shown or seen a lot of pornography, or after adults have had sexual intercourse in front of them. Others are more impulsive in their actions, with no apparent instigator or premeditative planning.

The problematic or harmful sexual behaviour is often only one of several issues (behavioural issues, psychological or neurological problems) the adolescent is dealing with, and must be understood as such; in context, rather than as “its own thing”. There are, however, a significant percentage of adolescents who are not otherwise troubled, and whose cognitive and social functions fall within the normal part of the spectrum.

Rvts problematisk doktorlek illustrasjon

The proplem as a whole

When children and young people display sexual behaviour capable of hurting others or themselves, the adults have a duty to react and provide help and protection. Certain children and young people are more vulnerable to developing – or falling victim to – this unacceptable behaviour. Examples are children with different handicaps, or who have been victims of violence, assault or negligence, children from low socio-economic backgrounds or with stunted development or socialisation.

Most children will not reoffend

Most children will not repeat the harmful sexual behaviour if they are given clear boundaries and have the potential consequences of such behaviour explained to them; how it affects both the violated party and themselves. Some adolescents will need further counselling in how to manage and master social interaction, sexual emotions, rejection by peers, and guilt/shame about having committed a sexual violation. Nurses, teachers and other health care personnel can also assist the children in these matters.

The need for something extra

A few of those who commit sexual violations will continue displaying the behaviour, and need more comprehensive help and assistance.

Harmful sexual behaviour is harmful both to the child it is inflicted on and the child displaying it, and indicates a need for an immediate reaction from adults.

Managing problematic and harmful sexual behaviour

Read more about managing problematic and harmful sexual behaviour here.