The following information is from NSPCC website:

Harmful sexual behaviour includes:

using sexually explicit words and phrases

inappropriate touching

using sexual violence or threats

full penetrative sex with other children or adults.

Children and young people who develop harmful sexual behaviour harm themselves and others.

Children and young people who develop harmful sexual behaviour have usually experienced themselves (; ; ).

A study by of children and young people with harmful sexual behaviour suggests that two-thirds had experienced some kind of abuse or trauma such as

physical abuse

emotional abuse

sexual abuse

severe neglect

parental rejection

family breakdown

domestic violence

parental drug and alcohol abuse.

Around half of them had experienced sexual abuse.

Family histories and backgrounds can have an impact on the sexual behaviour of children: