Understanding and responding to problem sexual behaviours in children

One of the determinants of successful service engagement to address problem sexual behaviours in children is the response when a parent/carer first discloses the behaviour, often to a trusted professional such as a teacher, allied health professional or the family general practitioner (GP).

The objective of this article is to guide the response of medical professionals to parents/carers of children exhibiting problem sexual behaviours, to increase the likelihood of successful support service engagement.

Problem sexual behaviours in children can be a predictor of trauma or abuse, and their discovery can have a devastating impact on parents and families, sometimes leading to denial, blame, rejection and relationship breakdown. Understanding parental reactions, using correct terminology, and responding with sensitivity and understanding can increase the likelihood of successful service engagement and intervention.