Problematic Sexual Behavior among Children and Youth: Considerations for Reporting, Assessment, and Treatment

Abstract

The Military REACH team was asked to review the literature regarding problematic sexual behavior (PSB) among children and youth. In this report, we first introduce the research on PSB, and then organize the remainder of the report into three sections. Section I provides a guideline for non-mental health professionals who work with children and youth (e.g., teachers, youth development specialist) regarding how to respond when PSBs are observed and thresholds for reporting PSB. Section II reviews various intervention approaches for addressing and treating children and youth with PSB. This section provides strong rationale for the use of therapeutic treatment, when warranted, as opposed to labeling children and youth as criminal offenders. Several therapy models for treating PSB among children are reviewed and information is presented regarding treatment effectiveness and training requirements for mental health professionals. Section III concludes the report with treatment considerations for clinicians who are assessing and working with children and youth with PSB. This report also contains supplemental materials, included as appendices, which provide resources for those who work with children and youth. (Author Abstract)