Harmful Sexual Behaviour Support Service

 A support service for professionals in tackling harmful sexual behaviours.

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Video Training

  1. Catalogue
  2. Helplines
  3. Harmful Sexual Behaviour

In June 2021 Ofsted concluded that the prevalence of child-on-child sexual harassment and abuse was so widespread that, for some, incidents are ‘so commonplace that they see no point in reporting them’ and ‘consider them normal’. In response to this, SWGfL and The Marie Collins Foundation created a support service for professionals working with children and young people in tackling harmful sexual behaviours, funded by the Home Office and in collaboration with the Department for Education.

Harmful sexual behaviour is 'sexual behaviours expressed by children and young people under the age of 18 years old that are developmentally inappropriate, may be harmful towards self or others, or abusive towards another child, young person or adult' (Hackett, 2014).

Supporting Professionals with Harmful Sexual Behaviour Issues

The support service was there to support with changing the culture that Ofsted highlighted in their report around sexual abuse in schools. The service, run by trained professionals, provided the tools to equip and empower adults through:

Access Harmful Sexual Behaviour Video Training

You can also access our downloadable Harmful Sexual Behaviour Resources

Harmful Sexual Behaviour Advice

Want more comprehesive Harmful Sexual Behaviour Training?

Our video training programme is now available for your organisation, this training will provide you with a good overview of harmful sexual behaviour, what it is, how schools can appropriately respond and what else is out there to help.

Access Harmful Sexual Behaviour Video Training

About the Harmful Sexual Behaviour Support Service

The support service was available for anyone in England working with children and young people, particularly, designated safeguarding leads within primary and secondary schools and alternative provision.

Support was also available to early years provision, colleges and wider safeguarding professionals (including police, social workers and health care professionals). The support service was available to provide initial support and signpost to further resources and advice.

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