What harmful sexual behaviour, sexual harassment and healthy relationships mean

Harmful sexual behaviour is sexual behaviour by children or young people that falls outside expected developmental behaviour, may cause harm to themselves or others, and can be abusive. Sexual harassment covers unwanted sexual comments, jokes, touching, intimidation, image-sharing, pressure and humiliation. Healthy relationships are based on respect, safety, clear choices, honest communication and agreed boundaries.

Children who show harmful sexual behaviour remain children. Responses should be child-centred and safeguarding-led, not punitive or labelling. Staff should protect, record and assess the behaviour, consider its context, and involve safeguarding and specialist services where needed.

Key ideas for residential staff

• Take peer sexual harm seriously: do not dismiss it as ordinary drama.
• Look at context: age, power, fear, secrecy and coercion all matter.
• Think child-centred: both harmed and harming children may need support.
• Avoid shame and crude labels: they can block safe disclosure and change.
• Use safeguarding routes: homes should not manage serious concerns alone.

Healthy relationships feel respectful and chosen. Harmful sexual behaviour and sexual harassment do not.