Tool to spot signs of sexual behaviour by children

The tool will allow children and young people to "live free from sexual abuse and exploitation", the government say

A new guide to help practitioners identify signs of harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) by children and young people has been launched.

The Safeguarding Partnership Board (SPB) said the tool would help young people be "seen as children first, rather than as perpetrators".

Practitioners will be equipped to spot and respond to signs of HSB, defined as sexual behaviour by under 18s that was "developmentally inappropriate" or could be harmful or abusive towards another child, young person or adult.

The Brook Traffic Light tool will offer guidance for age-appropriate behaviour, defining actions with green, amber and red categories which require different levels of intervention.

'Early identification'

The board said the guide would also stop "inappropriate referrals" to the Children and Families Hub, and stop the "stigmatisation and criminalisation" of children young people.

Jane Lancaster Adlam, chair of the Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategy subgroup, said it would increase the "competence and confidence" of practitioners to intervene early.

She said: “It’s vitally important that we have the Brook Traffic Light tool in place to provide a unified approach in supporting all practitioners working with children and young people in their understanding of harmful sexual behaviour.

"This will assist with early identification and ensuring relevant support is in place as soon as possible to both protect and safeguard all our young people.”

The government said the tool would allow children and young people in Jersey to "live free from sexual abuse and exploitation", and that it would be available to those working with young islanders.