Download 1 - NOTA

Understanding Sexual
Behaviour in the under
12’s
NOTA N.I. CONFERENCE
25.11.15
CHILD CARE CENTRE
Anne Morrison
THE CHILD CARE CENTRE
SERVICES OFFERED
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Investigation and treatment of sexual abuse
(children 3 – 13 years)
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Consultation
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Training
Terminology
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Sexually aggressive children
Sexual offenders
Children who molest
Sexually precocious children
Child Perpetrators
Sexually Inappropriate Behaviour
Sexualised Children
Terminology
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Healthy
Problematic
Harmful
Attitudes
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Minimising
Punitive
Dismissive
Fearful
Responses
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Ignore
Isolate
Punish
Reject
Over-React
Over-Supervise
Children with sexual behaviour problems
represent a diverse group. The behaviours
are on a continuum from self-stimulation
through to sexually aggressive children
who are intrusive and coercive
Normal Sexual Development
Normal developmental sequencing of the
acquisition of sexual behaviour has been
described as: beginning with interest and
attention to elimination functions, progressing
to an awareness of sexual body parts,
including masturbation in pre-school children.
Normal sexual development
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exploration that occurs spontaneously
intermittent
non coercive
does not cause emotional distress
not a pre-occupation
not involve advanced sexual behaviour
usually responds to normal correction
from adults
Harmful sexual behaviour
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more adult-type sexual behaviour
can involve aggression, coercion, force
is associated with distress in child/other
children
secrecy elements
may be age or developmental inequality
can be persistent
Impact of Social Media
?
Children with sexual behaviour problems
are not “sex offenders”. They should not
be compared with adult offenders.
These children are different in a number of ways -
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Limited Cognitive Development
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More likely to engage in impulsive sexual activity
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Intentions and motivations are different
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Behaviour may be related to curiosity, anxiety,
imitation, attention-seeking, self-calming
Why do children engage is sexually
problematic behaviour?
Some years ago it was believed that children
who demonstrated this behaviour had been
sexually abused themselves.
A definite link exists but not all children
presenting with such behaviour have
experienced sexual abuse.
Research indicates contributing factors –
- physical abuse
- neglect
- living in highly sexualised environment
- family nudity
- domestic violence
- exposure to sexually explicit media
- part of a pattern of disruptive behavioural
problems
- direct sexual abuse
What is clear is children with sexual
behaviour problems have significant
emotional and behavioural difficulties.
2013 Referrals = 76 Referrals
Gender – Total 76
Total Referrals
Presentation - Investigation
Presentation - Therapy
Outcomes - Explicit
Outcomes – No Behaviours
For children who have experienced sexual
abuse addressing their sexually
problematic behaviour is one part of a
treatment strategy
Challenge for Professionals
To recognise harmful or dangerous behaviours
without minimising them.
Avoid identifying and labelling age
appropriate behaviours as deviant or
warranting punishment.
Offer appropriate intervention.