Perceptions of consent in adolescents who display harmful sexual behaviour

Abstract

This article explores perceptions of consent in adolescents who display harmful sexual behaviour (HSB). It discusses society's constructions of the adolescent in terms of emerging sexuality, and examines definitions of HSB in terms of adolescents and gender. The terminology of consent, and what it means will be examined in depth in relation to the context in which it is referred to. The article also explores interventions aimed at tackling the issue of HSB and perceptions of consent in adolescence. For clarity, this article discusses HSB directed at 10–19-year-olds only.