Developing interventions for young females who display harmful sexual behaviours :a literature review of interventions and an exploration of what practitioners envision and understand

Abstract

As children and young people (CYP) who sexually harm others account for between a third and a quarter of sexual offences and 30 - 50% of all childhood sexual abuse is perpetrated by adolescents, this population is increasingly attracting the attention of researchers, policy makers and professionals. Despite this, research concludes this area is not given the attention it deserves. The role of assessment and intervention work with those displaying harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) is particularly important in order to prevent further abuse and to see CYP as this first and foremost rather than being exclusively offence focussed. From a literature review exploring what is known about interventions for CYP with HSB, 10 different interventions were analyzed and potential barriers and facilitators of effective intervention were identified. Findings question the need to tailor assessment and interventions to the specific needs of lesser understood sub-groups of CYP displaying HSB such as girls, those with learning difficulties and children under the age of adolescence, to attend to what may be effective for their varied and particular needs. The empirical research aims to develop an understanding of and to accommodate the intervention needs of young females with HSB through semi structured interviews with 6 HSB practitioners in one local authority. Phenomenological methodology was applied to allow for consideration of personal experiences and data was analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. The research findings are critically considered, suggesting how work should be tailored and how practitioners should adapt their practice in light of current research and psychological theory. Further, it expands on what is known and contributes to the development and future aspirations of the authority’s HSB panel.