SWGfL and the Marie Collins Foundation have handled over 450 cases* relating to harmful sexual behaviour in children and young people, reported by professionals working with children, since the launch of the Harmful Sexual Behaviour Support Service in January 2022.
In our latest webinar, Commissioning Editor, Jess Staufenberg, speaks to Carmel Glassbrook, lead for Harmful Sexual Behaviour Support Service at SWGfL and Lawrence Jordan, Professional lead of the Marie Collins Foundation, and discusses:
- What is harmful sexual behaviour?
- The Service: How it works, who it is relevant for
- How educators and safeguarding leads can better identify and understand harmful sexual behaviour
- How to make a referral
- Useful tools and resources
The Harmful Sexual Behaviour Support Service, funded by the Home Office and developed in collaboration with the Department for Education, is hosted by SWGfL and available Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, on 0344 225 0623 or hsbsupport@swgfl.org.uk. The service provides advice and resources to education and safeguarding professionals who encounter, or have concerns about, harmful sexual behaviour among the children they work with.
Find out more about the Service.
What is harmful sexual behaviour?
Harmful sexual behaviour is developmentally inappropriate sexual behaviour which is displayed by children and young people (under the age of 18) and which may be harmful or abusive. It can be displayed towards younger children, peers, older children or adults. It can be harmful to the children and young people who display it, as well as those it is directed towards.
*as of June 2022.
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