Working with Problem Sexualised Behaviour

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Working with Problem Sexualised Behaviour

• Jack Miers
• Di Calderbank
• Galileo House (SASS)

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WARNING!

• The topic we are covering is particularly
  disturbing. No one likes to talk or hear about
  problem sexual behaviour in children. But being
  aware of it is vital if we are to protect
  children.
• Please remember to take care of yourself and talk
  to someone if you find the content of this
  workshop particularly disturbing.

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Why talk about Problem Sexualised Behaviour?

• Since 2001 SASS has noted a marked increase in
  the number of clients presenting with sexual
  behaviour problems
• Catching the behaviours early and organising
  appropriate intervention is key to helping both
  the Child with the problem behaviour and any
  other children affected

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What is PSB?

• Sexual behaviour becomes a problem for the child
  when it interferes with social, cognitive,
  emotional and/or physical development
• It is a problem for others when it is not age
  appropriate and/or involves some coercion

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Why does it happen?

• PSB a coping mechanism for controlling emotions
• A result of some kind of trauma
• Sexual Abuse
• Exposure to pornography
• Exposure to other PSB affected children
• Domestic Violence
• Sexualised environments

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Examples

• 4 Kindergarten aged boys
• View Pornography
• Assault a classmate
• 8 year old Girl
• Sexually Assaulted
• Simulates sex with other children and asks to
  perform oral sex

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Examples (cont.)

• 12 yr old boy
• Older brother displays PSB
• Forced two 8 y.o. girls to perform oral sex on him

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Working with the child with the behaviour (Phases
of intervention)
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Strategies

• Psycho/social-education on trauma/trauma
  responses
• CBT (Walking it out)
• Walking through the problem to understand it and
  find healthy alternatives
• Emotional Expression (Trauma/Feelings Work)
• Sand Tray
• Physical Activity
• Ongoing work with the parents/carers

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Psycho-Education

• At First FEEL ? DO
• Through Counselling FEEL? THINK? DO

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Steps to Safety
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Walking it through
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DOs

• Establish Safety
• Intervene Immediately and stop the behaviour.
  (Early intervention is best)
• Remain Calm and have a non blaming approach and
  separate behaviour from the child.
• Teach children touching rules and protective
  behaviours.
• Let them know they can ask for help.

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Dos

• Redirect
• Explain to child why the behaviour is not O.K.
• Allow child to talk openly about what happened.
• Introduce enjoyable/relaxing activity

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Dos

• Education/Boundary Setting
• Teach touching rules/protective behaviours
• Teach children alternate ways to express
  emotions.
• Explain to child that their play with other
  children will be supervised.

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DOs

• Get Support
• Acknowledge this is a difficult situation
• Develop list of safe people you and child can
  speak to
• Contact counselling services (SASS)

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DONTS

• Shame
• Dont deal with situation in public
• Dont blame/threaten the child
• Dont label the child a molester or sex offender
• Dont ignore, cover up or over react to the
  behaviour
• Dont make promises you cannot keep

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Thank You For Listening!

• Galileo House Child and Youth Trauma Recovery
  Center (Formerly SASS Child and Adolescent
  Service)
• Ph 6231 0044
• 73 Federal St Nth Hobart
• www.sass.org.au
• We see children with Problem Sexualised Behaviour
  up to the age of 12