Sexual Behaviour in Children

Schools have a responsibility to promote the healthy development of their students and to protect them from harm.

The school does this by:

· teaching about sexual, emotional, and physical development through the health curriculum; and about appropriate and inappropriate behaviour through its behaviour management strategies and Keeping Ourselves Safe programme

· demonstrating respect and appropriate behaviour through its care and management of students

· noticing and dealing appropriately with sexual behaviour in children.

Sexual behaviour includes questions, touch, conversations, and interest about sexuality and/or relationships. It is important to respond appropriately to sexual behaviour in children. This requires identifying whether the behaviour is normal for the developmental stage of the child, or of concern. It is important to consider the behaviour in the context of what you know of the child's background, their age, emotional development, the behaviour's effect on others, and what is normal for the child's stage of development.

In many cases, the appropriate response is to downplay the behaviour and treat it as "silly behaviour that must stop", rather than escalate it to something more. It is an opportunity for a discussion about appropriate and inappropriate language and/or behaviour. It may be appropriate to monitor the child, and to involve the child's parents. The principal should be informed of the behaviour and response.

A child whose behaviour is concerning poses a threat to the welfare of other students, and also to themselves through their increased vulnerability. If the behaviour is of concern, the school must act to protect and support the children involved.

Depending on the seriousness of the behaviour, the "offending" child may need guidance around suitable boundaries, or specialised outside support. Inappropriate behaviour can sometimes indicate that the child has been exposed to pornography, unsafe situations, or abuse. If you are concerned, seek advice, for instance, from the STOP Programme, or the Police Child Abuse unit.