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How to recognise peer on peer sexual abuse and problematic sexual behaviour
Peer on peer sexual abuse is when one child or young person of a similar age or developmental stage engages another child or young person of a similar age or developmental stage in unwanted sexual behaviour, activity or contact through force, pressure, coercion or manipulation.
Not all sexual behaviour between children or young people is harmful or abusive. The Traffic Light System (Jason what reference do you want here as there are many-be good to be consistent with other policy documents) is a framework used to help assess whether sexual behaviours are developmentally expected or whether they may indicate a need for concern or intervention. It groups behaviours into three categories:
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Green – age-appropriate, expected, and healthy sexual behaviours that are part of normal development.
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Amber – behaviours that are outside the expected developmental range or raise concerns and require further assessment, guidance, or monitoring.
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Red – behaviours that are harmful, abusive, coercive, or exploitative and require an immediate safeguarding response and referral to the appropriate authorities.
The Traffic Light System should always be used alongside professional judgement and consideration of the child's age, developmental stage, individual circumstances, and the context in which the behaviour occurred.