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8-12 years: Pre-adolescent

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Age appropriate sexual behaviours

Occasional masturbation
Show me yours/I'll show you mine with peers
Kissing and flirting
Genital or reproduction conversations with peers
Dirty words or jokes with peer group

Concerning sexual behaviours

Attempting to expose others' genitals
Sexual knowledge to great for age once context is considered
Pre-occupation with masturbation
Single occurrence of peeping, exposing * obscenities, pornographic interest (sources include the internet, pay TV, videos, DVDs and magazines)
Stimulating foreplay or intercourse with peers with clothes on

Very concerning sexual behaviours

Compulsive masturbation, including task interruption to masturbate
Repeated or chronic peeping, exposing obscenities
Chronic pornographic interest (child pornography *, sources include the internet, pay TV, videos, DVDs and magazines)
Degradation/humiliation of self using sexual themes
Degradation/humiliation of others using sexual themes
Touching genitals of others without permission *
Sexually explicit threats - written or verbal *
Forced exposure of others' genitals *
Simulating intercourse with peers with clothes off.
Penetration of dolls, children or animals *

* For children and young people aged 10 - 18 these behaviours may constitute criminal offences such as Indecent Assault, Indecent Act or Assault (Common Law)

For further information please refer to the booklet Age Appropriate Sexual Behaviour in Children and Young People. Hard copies of this booklet can be obtained from SECASA on (03) 9928 8741.

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Disclaimer Copyright Updated: 18 Sep 2009

The South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault acknowledges the traditional Aboriginal owners of country throughout Victoria. We pay our respects to them, their culture and their Elders past, present and future.