What are Harmful Sexual Behaviours?

In Australia, the National Office for Child Safety in consultation with the National Clinical Reference Group (NCRG), developed the following working definition of HSB1:

"Harmful sexual behaviours are:

sexual behaviours displayed by children and young people that fall outside what may be considered developmentally expected or socially appropriate,
may cause harm to themselves or others,
and occur either face to face and/or via technology.

When these behaviours involve others they may include

lack of consent, reciprocity and mutuality,
and may involve the use of coercion, force, or misuse of power".

Understanding the Terminology

The terms reciprocity, mutuality and consent are referenced within the definition of Harmful Sexual Behaviour above. These terms are defined below.2 3