Stop calling children the miniature sex offenders!

Cases of child-on-child sexual abuse have indeed challenged the notion of ‘childhood innocence’. Available research and publications have proven that public perception was mainly negative and easily speculate children and... [ view full abstract ]

Cases of child-on-child sexual abuse have indeed challenged the notion of ‘childhood innocence’. Available research and publications have proven that public perception was mainly negative and easily speculate children and young people who display sexual behavior problems (SBPs) as the miniature offenders, who will grow as adult sex offenders in their adulthood. I found this as an interesting phenomenon and tried to find the right way to view and deal with this issue; either to look at the problem as ‘children who sexually abuse others’ or ‘sexual abuse by children’. In my recent research project, I specifically chose Grounded Theory as my method so I can start with a more general question of ‘What happens in current service provision with children and young people displaying SBPs?’ I interviewed 44 practitioners from 13 agencies throughout England and Wales about their experience with children and young people with a range of SBPs. I also closely examined 67 working guidance published by the different Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) to bring about a better understanding about the nature of services for this particular group of young people, in the way they view children and the development of policies and practice to protect the welfare of children and young people. In this presentation, I hope to share some of the findings that fit into the discussion and highlight a number of relevant themes such as ‘How do children different from the adult?’, ‘Why SBP should be viewed as a problem rather than an offence?’, and ‘What is the best approach to deal with children who display SBPs?’ This presentation will also invite the audience to re-think about the problem around labeling and stigma and its effects on children displaying SBPs and their families, the intervention process and the effectiveness of service provision.