Clusters of risk associated with harmful sexual behaviour onset for children and young people: opportunities for early intervention

Abstract

ABSTRACT Harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) carried out by children and young people can include sexual abuse of younger children or adults, or sexual assault in dating or peer relationships. The aim of this paper is to capture the “practice wisdom” of practitioners and applied researchers about clusters of risk factors associated with HSB onset, as well as possibilities for earlier intervention. Participants included practitioners and applied researchers in the HSB field. Data was collected in 2020 through individual interviews with eight key expert informants, and two group interviews – the first with two applied researchers and the second with three practitioners. Data analysis revealed risk factor clusterings around five key childhood experiences: being sexually curious; having a sexual interest in children; living with childhood trauma; living with contextual violence; and using pornography. These clusters are discussed in relation to early intervention. PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT Harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) is preventable but the early intervention agenda is underdeveloped. In this paper, five risk clusters are identified: being sexually curious; having a sexual interest in children; living with childhood trauma; living with contextual violence; and using pornography. The identification of these risk clusters present opportunities for early intervention that could enhance the prevention agenda to address HSB in Australia and internationally.