Understanding sexual behaviours in children and young people is a complex and evolving field, especially when these behaviours may indicate harmful sexual behaviour (HSB). To address this, the Australian Centre for Child Protection has developed the Layered Continuum for Understanding Harmful Sexual Behaviours, a contemporary framework designed to guide practitioners in assessing and responding to sexual behaviours displayed by children. This framework provides a structured, step-by-step process that helps practitioners determine whether a child’s sexual behaviour is harmful and the appropriate level of concern. 

This project emerged from the recognition that existing models, while valuable, are not fully fit for purpose in the contemporary Australian context. Key limitations of these models include outdated language and terminology, challenges with implementation by non-specialist practitioners, a lack of focus on key concepts such as consent and reciprocity, and insufficient consideration of children’s emotional responses to sexual behaviour.

The Layered Continuum addresses these gaps by offering a more nuanced, developmentally informed approach. It acknowledges that sexual behaviours in children exist on a continuum of severity, intensity, and impact, recognising that not all sexualised behaviours are harmful or concerning. The continuum is designed to help practitioners deepen their understanding of the behaviours by guiding them through a series of layered steps, considering factors such as consent, mutuality, emotional responses, and overall pattern of the behaviour.

This presentation will explore the development of the Layered Continuum, including its theoretical foundation, evidence informed improvements from exploration of expert discussion and a validation study.  Using case examples, attendees will be walked through how to use the continuum in practice, helping to equip them with the tools to more effectively assess and respond to sexual behaviours displayed by children and young people.

Safe Connections provides specialist assessment and support services to children engaging in Harmful Sexual Behaviour and their families in the Northern Territory.

There are extensive barriers to delivering meaningful services to remote communities across the NT. Encompassing some of the most remote regions of Australia, the Safe Connections program is committed to providing meaningful responses to small communities dotted up to 14hrs drive from larger towns, many of which are periodically inaccessible due to Cultural Business and unpredictable weather. 

Unfortunately, the sustainability of visiting professionals within remote communities are too often short lived due to a range of complex factors. Even with more investment, having a HSB specialist in every community is never going to be a reality. So, how do we ensure these communities have access to these supports? 

We started by delivering workshops to remote stakeholders, focusing on the capacity building of families and strong community leaders. After all, it is the community members and their families who are most likely to stay, and in the best position to protect the children of their community. We wanted to move away from focusing on children needing to protect themselves, to empowering the caring adults to take action. Despite many families already managing high levels of systemic disadvantage, including poverty, overcrowding, abuse, food insecurity and intergenerational trauma, we strived for whole of community action.  

This paper outlines the considerations and protocols that were taken to ensure that we were delivering the right way. Concepts that will be explored include permission seeking, meaningful consultation, cultural safety, slowing down, shame, distrust, and fear. The content and resources that were developed through this project will also be explored as well as the key outcomes.

The Good Way model is a trauma informed approach first developed for young people with intellectual or developmental difficulties who presented with harmful or concerning sexual behaviour. It is an integrative model, drawing on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Good Lives Model, creative therapies and trauma-focussed therapies. Research shows effectiveness with young people aged 11-17 both with and without an intellectual disability, who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour. It can be used with other types of offending or behaviours of concern. The five components of the Good Way model offer a simple framework that provides young people with a context for their behaviour, skill development and decision making, and for striving for a Good Life. Many young people who have offended or displayed behavioural difficulties have a background of considerable trauma. The Good Way model also assists young people to come to terms with their own experiences of abuse, neglect, grief and loss, to understand the harm they have caused, and supports developmentally appropriate reparation and restoration. The Good Way model is adaptable for use in one-to-one and/or group settings, and is being used in the UK and Japan in early intervention.