How to use this information booklet

Home: Family & Friends: About Your Child: Age appropriate sexual behaviour

How you react to observed sexual behaviour in children and young people is very important.

1. Is the sexual behaviour normal or concerning?

This section will help you identify sexual behaviour along a range from "age appropriate" through "concerning" to "very concerning". This range of sexual behaviours by children and young people is broken down into the following age groups 0-4 years, 5-7 years, 8-12 years and 13-18 years. Individual children and young people develop at different rates. They are also exposed to different levels of family, peer and social influences around sexuality. Therefore, these age groups are a guide only. In particular the age group 0-4 covers three developmental stages, infant, toddler and pre-school, and should be looked at with care.

As a carer or professional working with children or young people, you will be able to use these descriptions of behaviour as a guide to determine if observed sexual behaviour is age appropriate, concerning or very concerning. It is important to remember that the sexual behaviours described in this booklet are not an exhaustive list and must not be used as an assessment tool if sexual abuse is suspected. In such cases the Department of Human Services Child Protection Branch should be contacted (see referrals section at the rear of this booklet).

Children or young people who are intellectually disabled or developmentally delayed experience normal physical sexual development. These children and young people can also display concerning sexual behaviours. Concerning sexualized behaviours in children and young people with disabilities should not be ignored as this makes them increasingly vulnerable to exploitation and can have an adverse impact on other children and young people.

2. Context of the sexual behaviour

It is important to consider the context of any sexual behaviours of children and young people in order to make an appropriate evaluation. Refer to the section on Context of Sexual Behaviour for further information to assist in making a judgement.

3. How to respond

How you react to observed sexual behaviour in children and young people is very important. The section on How to Respond discusses what you might do when faced with this behaviour.

4. Frequently asked questions

The section on Frequently asked questions gives some examples of the types of situations faced by people working with children and young people displaying sexualized behaviours as well as answering some commonly asked questions.

5. Seek further advice or make a referral

If after observing the child or young person's sexual behaviour, and assessing the context, you are concerned that the behaviour is age inappropriate, seek further professional advice by contacting the relevant agency. Contact details for a number of agencies can be found in the Referral section.

6. Internet resources

The Internet has become a source of increasing concern for parents given the availability of sexually explicit materials and the presence of on-line predators. The Internet resources section includes a list of internet sites which provide information on how children and young people who use the Internet can be protected.

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Disclaimer Copyright Updated: 8 Feb 2008