21.09.16
Keep an eye out for harmful sexual behaviour in children
Children who display inappropriate sexual behaviour for their age should receive help from healthcare workers and other professional groups, according to new guidance from NICE.
The guidance, the first of its kind, says that in a small number of cases, children and young people who engage in harmful sexual discussion and acts subsequently commit sexual offences.
It recommends a multi-agency approach involving child health services, social services and education to intervene in such behaviour at an early stage.
Professor Gillian Leng, deputy chief executive of NICE, said: “Inquisitive behaviour is a normal part of growing up and it is natural for children to ask about different body parts or be curious about the differences between girls and boys.
“However there is also a minority of children and young people who engage in sexual behaviour that is not appropriate for their age or development.
“This guidance is about preparing teachers, nurses, social workers and others to recognise harmful sexual behaviour when it occurs and ensure they can work across team boundaries so that problem behaviour is not ignored or missed and children and young people receive the help they need.”
The guidance said local areas should agree how to identify where behaviour is a cause for concern. It recommends using the Brook Sexual Behaviours Traffic Light Tool to classify different behaviours.
It also follows a series of calls for medical staff to do more to identify vulnerable children in their care.
A recent report from the CQC, for example, said that health staff should do more to assess children’s risk of problems including parental ill health, sexual exploitation and female genital mutilation.
The problem of harmful sexual behaviour between children and young people was also highlighted last week in a report by the Women and Equalities Committee. It found that almost 30% of 16-18 year old girls have experienced unwanted touching at school, and over 70% of 16-18 year old girls and boys say they hear girls called terms such as “slut”.
People who are legally minors are capable of sexually harassment and assault. Action on the problem is long overdue, and it’s vital that early inappropriate behaviour is treated compassionately but seriously.
Jon Brown, head of development and impact at the NSPCC, who helped develop the guidance, said: “Harmful sexual behaviour has gone under the radar for too long.
“There are three key messages in this guidance: that children and young people should be treated as just that, not as mini sex offenders; that the approach should be shaped to the individual, it’s not a one size fits all process; and finally that steps to change behaviour will only be effective if the family and support network understand there is an issue and are supportive.”
Maeve Murphy, a clinical nurse and another member of the CDG, added that there was “a disparity in the provision of services throughout the country to tackle these issues”.
Dr Abdullah Kraam MD MRCPsych, consultant child and adolescent forensic psychiatrist and member of the guideline development group, said: “This is the first time experts in this area have sat together and looked at the evidence and best practice about how we should help children and young people who engage in harmful sexual behaviour.”
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