Child Protection Guidance 2021

Part 4: Specific support needs and concerns 169 National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 Version 1.0 September 2021 Normal Inappropriate Problematic Abusive Violent Developmentally expected Single instances of inappropriate sexual behaviour Problematic and concerning behaviours Victimising intent or outcome Physically violent sexual abuse Socially acceptable Socially acceptable behaviour within peer group Developmentally unusual and socially unexpected Includes misuse of power Highly intrusive Consensual, mutual, reciprocal Context for behaviour may be inappropriate No overt elements of victimisation Coercion and force to ensure victim compliance Instrumental violence which is physiologically and/or sexually arousing to the perpetrator Shared decision-making Generally consensual and reciprocal Consent issues may be unclear Intrusive Sadism May lack reciprocity or equal power Informed consent lacking or not able to be freely given by victim May include levels of compulsivity May include elements of expressive violence From Hackett (2010) in: Report of Expert Group on Preventing Sexual Offending Involving Children and Young People (Scottish Government 2020, p30) 4.219 Practitioners’ ability to determine if a child’s sexual behaviour is harmful will be based on an understanding of what constitutes healthy sexual behaviour in childhood, as well as issues of informed consent, power imbalance and exploitation. Resources such as the Brook Traffic Light tool can be useful in recognition of potential child protection concerns about children’s sexual behaviour. 4.220 Assessment of harmful behaviour is indicated if the behaviour meets any or all of the following criteria: • it occurs at a frequency greater than would be developmentally expected • it interferes with the child’s development • it occurs in a context of coercion, intimidation or force • it is associated with emotional distress • it occurs between children of divergent ages or abilities • it repeatedly recurs in secrecy after intervention by caregivers (Chaffin et al., 2002)