Recognizing and Responding to Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children

Live Interactive Webinar

Instructor: Kevin Creeden, M.A., LMHC

Level: Intermediate

CEs: 3

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While several studies indicate that one third of all the sexual assaults on children are committed by other youth (Puzzanchera, Smith and Kang, 2017; Hackett, 2014), more recent research that involved a large national sample of youth ages 0-17 found that the actual incidence of youth committing sexual assault and abuse of other youth may be significantly greater (Gerwirtz-Meydan and Finkelhor, 2020). Therefore, if we are really going to protect children from sexual harm, there is a need to address problematic sexual behavior by children of all ages (Silvosky, Hunter and Taylor, 2018).

This training provides a foundation for understanding problematic sexual behavior by addressing issues that distinguish “problematic” from “normative” child sexual behavior (Cavanaugh-Johnson, 2009), by examining those factors that have been identified as placing children at risk for engaging in problematic sexual behavior, as well as those factors that promote resiliency and protection (Creeden, 2020; Morrow, Villodas and Cunnius, 2019; Silvern and Greise, 2012; Silvosky, 2009). Additionally, the training provides an overview of treatment concerns and effective treatment interventions and the essential role played by systems outside the family, such as schools, in identifying and effectively intervening in problematic sexual behavior in children.