Harmful Sexual Behaviour: Definition, Indicators and Professional Response
Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) refers to sexual behaviours displayed by children and young people that are developmentally inappropriate, harmful to themselves or others, abusive, or violent.
Children and young people naturally demonstrate a range of sexual behaviours as part of their development. However, some behaviours may indicate that a child has been exposed to inappropriate experiences, has experienced abuse themselves, or presents a risk of harm to others.
Recognising and responding to HSB requires a balanced, child-centred approach that considers the needs of all children involved. Practitioners should avoid making assumptions and should understand that children displaying HSB often have complex needs and vulnerabilities of their own.
This guidance should be read alongside:
What is Harmful Sexual Behaviour?
Harmful Sexual Behaviour exists on a continuum.
Some sexual behaviours are:
Developmentally Expected
Age-appropriate behaviours that reflect normal child development.
Inappropriate
Behaviours that are outside expected developmental norms but can often be addressed through education, guidance and support.
Problematic
Behaviours that may indicate emerging concerns and require assessment and intervention.
Harmful or Abusive
Behaviours that are coercive, exploitative, harmful or abusive towards another person.
Violent
Behaviours involving force, aggression, threats or significant harm.
Understanding where behaviour sits on this continuum is critical to ensuring proportionate and effective safeguarding responses.
Why Harmful Sexual Behaviour Matters
HSB can have significant consequences for all children involved.
Impact on Children Who Have Been Harmed
Children may experience:
- Trauma
- Anxiety
- Fear
- Shame
- Difficulties in relationships
- Mental health concerns
- Reduced sense of safety
Impact on Children Displaying HSB
Children who display HSB may themselves be experiencing:
- Trauma
- Neglect
- Sexual abuse
- Domestic abuse
- Emotional harm
- Neurodevelopmental difficulties
- Poor attachment experiences
Many children displaying HSB require safeguarding, assessment and support rather than solely punitive responses.
Impact on Families and Communities
HSB can lead to:
- Family stress
- School disruption
- Social isolation
- Increased safeguarding concerns
- Breakdown of trust and relationships
Understanding Harmful Sexual Behaviour
Children Displaying HSB May Also Be Vulnerable
Research shows that many children displaying HSB have experienced:
- Sexual abuse
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Neglect
- Domestic abuse
- Exploitation
- Exposure to inappropriate sexual content
This does not excuse harmful behaviour, but it helps practitioners understand the wider context and identify appropriate support.
HSB Can Occur in Many Settings
HSB may occur:
- Within families
- Between siblings
- Between peers
- In schools and colleges
- In care settings
- Within friendship groups
- Online
- Through social media and digital technology
Professionals should consider both offline and online behaviours.
Harmful Sexual Behaviour and Technology
Children increasingly interact through digital environments.
HSB may involve:
- Sharing sexual images
- Sexual harassment online
- Pressuring others for images
- Unwanted sexual messages
- Sexualised bullying
- Coercive online behaviour
Online behaviours should be assessed with the same seriousness as behaviours occurring in person.
How Might HSB Present?
HSB can vary significantly depending on a child’s age, development and circumstances.
Concerns may present through:
- Disclosures
- Behaviour observed by adults
- School concerns
- Peer reports
- Social media concerns
- Police involvement
- Incidents between siblings
- Online activity
Professional assessment should always consider age, developmental stage and context.
Signs and Indicators
Sexualised Behaviour Beyond Developmental Expectations
Examples may include:
- Sexualised language inappropriate for age.
- Persistent sexual discussions.
- Excessive sexual knowledge.
- Repeated sexualised play beyond developmental norms.
- Behaviour causing distress to other children.
Coercive or Abusive Behaviour
Professionals should be concerned where behaviours involve:
- Pressure.
- Threats.
- Manipulation.
- Secrecy.
- Exploitation.
- Significant age differences.
- Power imbalances.
- Force.
Online Indicators
Children may:
- Share sexual images.
- Request sexual images from others.
- Send sexually explicit messages.
- Use online platforms to harass others.
- Become involved in sexualised online interactions.
School and Educational Indicators
Professionals may identify:
- Sexual harassment.
- Inappropriate touching.
- Persistent sexualised language.
- Peer complaints.
- Incidents involving multiple children.
- Behaviour that affects safety within the education setting.
Emotional and Behavioural Indicators
Children displaying HSB may:
- Struggle to understand boundaries.
- Display aggressive behaviour.
- Experience emotional dysregulation.
- Show signs of trauma.
- Have poor peer relationships.
- Present with mental health concerns.
These indicators should inform assessment but do not in themselves confirm HSB.
Questions for Professional Curiosity
Professionals should consider:
- Is the behaviour developmentally expected?
- Is there a power imbalance?
- Has anyone been harmed or distressed?
- Does the behaviour involve secrecy, coercion or force?
- Has the child been exposed to sexual content?
- Has the child experienced abuse or trauma?
- Are there concerns about online activity?
- Are there patterns of behaviour emerging?
- What do the children involved say about the incident?
- Does the behaviour indicate broader safeguarding concerns?
Assessment Tools and Frameworks
Hackett Continuum
The Hackett Continuum helps professionals consider where sexual behaviours sit on a continuum between:
- Normal
- Inappropriate
- Problematic
- Abusive
- Violent
This supports proportionate safeguarding responses.
Brook Traffic Light Tool
The Brook Traffic Light Tool helps practitioners assess whether sexual behaviours are:
- Green (developmentally typical)
- Amber (potentially concerning)
- Red (likely harmful or abusive)
This tool should be used alongside professional judgement and organisational procedures.
Practice Considerations
Consider the Needs of All Children Involved
Safeguarding responses should address:
- The child who has been harmed.
- The child displaying the behaviour.
- Other children potentially at risk.
Both protection and support are important.
Avoid Labelling Children
Professionals should avoid language that defines children solely by their behaviour.
Instead of describing a child as:
“A sex offender”
Consider:
“A child displaying harmful sexual behaviour.”
This helps maintain a child-centred safeguarding approach.
Focus on Risk and Safety
Assessment should consider:
- Current risk.
- Future risk.
- Protective factors.
- Family support.
- Educational support.
- Multi-agency involvement.
Safety planning may be required for all children involved.
Consider Wider Safeguarding Concerns
HSB often sits alongside:
- Child Sexual Abuse
- Domestic Abuse
- Neglect
- Exploitation
- Harm Outside the Home
- Online Harm
- Trauma
Professionals should consider the child’s wider experiences and vulnerabilities.
What Should Professionals Do?
Immediate Risk
If a child is at immediate risk of harm:
- Call 999
- Contact Police if a crime has occurred.
- Contact Children’s Social Care immediately.
- Take action to protect the child or children involved.
Concerns About Harmful Sexual Behaviour
Contact Children’s Social Care (MASH)
Telephone: 0191 424 5010
Monday to Thursday: 8.30am to 5.00pm
Friday: 8.30am to 4.30pm
Out of Hours
Telephone: 0191 456 2093
Referral Routes
Where concerns exist, professionals should seek safeguarding advice and make referrals promptly.
Recording Harmful Sexual Behaviour Concerns
Professionals should record:
- What happened.
- Who was involved.
- Date, time and location.
- What was seen or disclosed.
- The views of the children involved.
- Actions taken.
- Professional analysis.
- Risk considerations.
Recording should be factual and avoid assumptions.
Information Sharing
Information sharing is essential for effective safeguarding.
Professionals should share:
- Details of incidents.
- Previous concerns.
- Risk assessments.
- School information.
- Relevant family information.
- Online concerns.
Multi-agency assessment is often required to fully understand risk and identify appropriate interventions.
Further guidance:
Local Guidance and Resources
South Tyneside
Regional
Relevant chapters include:
- Harmful Sexual Behaviour
- Child Sexual Abuse
- Peer-on-Peer Abuse
- Online Safety
- Child Protection
- Information Sharing
National Resources
- https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-abuse-and-neglect/harmful-sexual-behaviour
- https://www.brook.org.uk/training/wider-professional-training/traffic-light-tool/
- https://www.csacentre.org.uk/
- https://www.csacentre.org.uk/research-resources/key-messages/harmful-sexual-behaviour/
- Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026
Key Practice Message
Children displaying harmful sexual behaviour require careful assessment, safeguarding and support. Responses should be proportionate, child-centred and informed by an understanding of development, trauma and context. Always consider the needs of all children involved, focus on safety, and avoid making assumptions about intent or risk without appropriate assessment.