Helping Children to Learn About Safer Sexual Behaviour

Book excerpt: This unique resource comprises a therapeutic workbook and storybook, designed to be used as an early intervention with children within the school setting who display concerning sexual behaviour. The workbook contains a series of activities with accompanying user-friendly advice including how to broach difficult subjects, how to engage with children who have additional needs and how to create conditions of safety to enable the necessary conversations and activities to happen. The programme of work culminates in the creation of a unique and dynamic Safety Plan which is developed collaboratively with the child (as the expert) together with key adults in their lives. The Safety Plan is designed to meet the needs of the child and gives attention to their cultural context and specific likes/interests; this ultimately keeps them and other children safe from further incidents or allegations of sexually concerning behavior. The accompanying storybook, 'Billy and the Tingles' employs narrative therapy, telling the story of a child with sexually concerning behaviour and addressing contemporary issues of exposure to pornography. Laura Walker is a Senior Practitioner in a specialist service working with young people aged 7-17 years old who have displayed sexually concerning/harmful behavior. Laura has been a qualified Social Worker for 15 years with a background in child protection, fostering and sexual abuse work. Laura is currently studying for a Masters in Trauma Studies specialising in the relationship between trauma and sexually concerning behaviour in children. Carol Laugharneis a Practitioner in a specialist service working with young people aged 7-17 years old who have displayed sexually concerning/harmful behavior. Carol is a qualified Youth Worker with 20 years background in a number of settings with children and young people aged 4 - 19 years including Youth Work, Children's Rights, Drug and Alcohol Services, sexual exploitation and children of drug and alcohol using parents.