Child-on-child (Peer-on-peer) Sexual Abuse

Open Access: Yes.

Abstract

It is important for health care professionals to have a strong knowledge base of childhood sexual development, to know how to differentiate between problematic and normative sexual behaviors, and counsel parents accordingly given their assessment of the behaviors. A review of the literature suggests that sexual behaviors are a common occurrence in childhood, though some behaviors are rare regardless of age. Frequency of the behavior, developmental considerations, and the level of harm may help health care professionals assess whether the sexual behavior is typical or problematic. Research suggests that the development of problematic sexual behavior is related to a variety of child, family, developmental, and social factors. Recommendations for clinical care for this population are offered, and a case study highlights a health care professional’s appropriate assessment and decision making.

Relevance

Problematic sexual behavior “appears to be more common in children who  are raised in homes with poor family boundaries in which there may be  exposure to nudity, parental sexual activity, and/or pornography.”

Citation

Mesman, G. R., Harper, S. L., Edge, N. A., Brandt, T. W., & Pemberton, J. L. (2019). Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children. Journal of pediatric health care, 33(3), 323–331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2018.11.002