Understanding Harmful Sexual Behaviour in Children and Young People
North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership aims to tackle child sexual abuse, with a focus on Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB). They are conducting a multi-agency audit to enhance practitioner awareness and support pathways. HSB encompasses a range of sexual behaviors in children under 18, with varying severity levels. The audit seeks to identify current gaps and improve response services for children and young people in the region. Greater engagement from organizations is essential for a holistic approach in addressing HSB.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Harmful Sexual Harmful Sexual Behaviour Behaviour Simone Wilkinson Group Manager Early Help & Chair of the Harmful Sexual Behaviour Steering Group OFFICIAL
North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership has a strategic priority to tackle child sexual abuse in all its forms. We have identified that we need to better understand the issues associated with Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) experienced by and displayed by children and young people in North Yorkshire. To help inform this understanding we have secured funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner to conducting a multi-agency audit by the NSPCC. This will seek to identify current practitioner awareness of HSB and the pathways of support for children and young people displaying such behaviours. The aim of the audit is to get a clear, honest picture of our current position and highlight any actions that may be required to improve the provision of response and services for children and young people in North Yorkshire. Introduction Introduction We need your help to ensure all organisation are engaged in the audit which is being undertaken by the NSPCC. The engagement of all agencies is key to developing an informed, measured and balanced approach to the identification of issues and responses. OFFICIAL
Sexual behaviours expressed by children and young people under the age of 18 years old that are developmentally inappropriate, may be harmful towards self or others and/or be abusive towards another child, young person or adult (derived from Hackett, 2014). What is What is Harmful Harmful Sexual Sexual Behaviour Behaviour The term harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) is used to describe a continuum of sexual behaviours, from inappropriate to problematic to abusive OFFICIAL
Around a third of child sexual abuse is by another children or young people. Half or all reported sexual offenses relate to children under 18 There is some cross-over between online and offline HSB and between child sexual exploitation and HSB. HSB is most commonly identified in adolescent boys, but girls and younger children can also exhibit HSB. A significant proportion of children who display HSB also have a learning disability. The majority of children who display HSB have themselves experienced trauma, including abuse or neglect. The majority of children and young people displaying HSB do not become sexual offenders as adults. Young people who display HSB often experience other emotional, behavioural and peer-related difficulties What does What does the National the National Data tell us? Data tell us? There is no universally agreed definition of what harmful sexual behaviour is. Definitions change between studies, disciplines, cultures and over time. This makes comparisons between studies problematic OFFICIAL
Lack of appropriate training and support for staff across agencies regarding harmful sexualised behaviours in children and young people Inconsistent responses to allegations regarding harmful sexualised behaviours in children and young people Current Current issues issues Poor clarity around communication and sharing of information following an allegation or incident of harmful sexualised behaviour Service delivery need for joined up thinking across all of the lead agencies not only for assessment but also intervention and support OFFICIAL
Planning Strategic leadership, multi-agency steering group has been set up Launch - Awareness raising Event run by the NSPCC on the 17thJanuary. Multi- agency attendance is important to share language & understanding of HSB. Three hour event with the agenda being split between raising awareness of HSB & introducing the framework & audit process. Information - Questionnaires sent out to all Partners, returns 9thFebruary Validate learn from the evidence, local input is key to ensure audits are honest & representative Disseminate Event planned for 20thFebruary to share finding. An opportunity for all agencies & staff at different levels to contribute to the action plan. Present the findings, discuss & arrnage action planning workshop sessions Action Plan Multiagency steering group, collaborative process Implementation HSB Strategy A Multi A Multi- -Agency Approach Agency Approach OFFICIAL
Next Steps Next Steps Share the presentation with your colleagues Consider how your Service will be represented within the Audit. Discuss HSB at your team meetings (Lots of Info on YouTube) Attend the Launch Event in 17thJanuary 2024 Look out for the audit in your emails and complete and return as soon as possible Returns 9thFebruary Report/Findings of the Audit Event 20th February 2023 Simon Hackett launches updated HSB model February/March OFFICIAL
