Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children and Youth Toolkit — for Service Providers

This online toolkit offers service providers links to resources for understanding and responding to problematic sexual behavior in children and youth within the military community. The Defense Department provides direct links for:

• Training
• Courses
• Fact sheets
• Guides
• Other learning opportunities

These are meant to enhance your professional understanding and skills in working with children, youth and families exhibiting and/or impacted by problematic sexual behavior.

Materials include those developed by the DOD, as well as external partners and organizations. The resources provided are trauma-informed, developmentally attuned and aligned with the current best practices.

Background

The DOD defines PSB-CY as behaviors initiated by children and youth under age 18 that involve using sexual body parts (genitals, anus, buttocks or breasts) in a manner that deviates from normative or typical sexual behavior and are developmentally inappropriate or potentially harmful to the individual initiating the behavior, the individual(s) impacted by the behavior or others.

A new DOD policy expands the role of the Family Advocacy Program in responding to PSB-CY though the multidisciplinary team, which coordinates efforts in support of children and families.

Multidisciplinary team — resources and trainings

• Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children and Youth Multidisciplinary Team Quick Guide — guide to help PSB-CY MDT members become familiar with policy requirements for themselves and other team members and to find resources to assist families involved in incidents of PSB-CY
• How to Determine Primary Managing Authority in Cases of PSB-CY — flowchart for determining which installation FAP should hold and document the MDT
• Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children and Youth Training Metrics for DOD Support Platforms — flyer with list of recommended training and resources available for the PSB MDT core and expanded members
• Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children and Youth Multidisciplinary Team Checklist — checklist for FAP staff responding to a report of problematic sexual behavior
• Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children and Youth Information System Instructions — instructions for Users, Supervisors and Security Managers
• Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children and Youth Information System Instructions — instructions for Authorized Submitters

Helping professionals — resources and trainings

• Penn State University PSB-CY Non-Clinical Referral Tool — website to register for required online and live trainings on how to use the NCRT to categorize reports of sexual behavior
• NCTSN Academy Course Catalog — catalog offering centralized access to every PSB-CY training course and webinar that allows users to print, filter and customize a curriculum for each MDT learner group
• NCTSN Academy Sequence of Learning by Learner Groups — table outlining the required sequence of learning for members of the multidisciplinary team
• Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children and Youth Briefing Slides — briefing slides that outline PSB-CY and explain how FAP works to address these behaviors
• Responding to Concerning Sexual Behavior: Support for Children and Their Families — printable trifold brochure for parents with children impacted by concerning sexual behavior
• Responding to Concerning Sexual Behavior: The Process for You and Your Child — printable trifold brochure for parents whose children may have exhibited concerning sexual behavior
• Sexual Development and Behavior in Children and Youth — course by the Virtual Lab School
• Supporting Children with Challenging Behaviors — course by the Virtual Lab School
• Trauma-Informed Care in Child Care Settings — course by the Virtual Lab School

Helping professionals — tools

• Children’s Advocacy Center Coverage Maps — interactive coverage maps from the National Children’s Alliance
• Stop It Now! Prevention Tools — fact sheet by Stop It Now!

Clinicians — resources

• Sexual Behavior in Children and Youth webinar series — series that addresses normal sexual behavior in children in addition to exploring cautionary and problematic sexual behavior that children may display
• Clinical Assessment and Treatment Overview Courses — courses that provide professional development for clinically assessing, responding to and treating PSB-CY
• Better Lives Through Better Choices: When Sexual Behaviors in Youth are Problematic or Illegal: A Web-Based Resource for Evidence-Based Decision-Making — webpage by the National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth for professionals responding to problematic or illegal sexual behavior
• Effective Treatment for Youth with Problematic Sexual Behaviors — fact sheet by the National Children’s Alliance
• Problematic Sexual Behavior-Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for School-Age Children — fact sheet and culture-specific fact sheet by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Parents — resources for understanding child sexual development and concerning sexual behaviors

• A Guide for Parents/Caregivers Concerned About Children’s Sexual Behavior — guide for parents and other caregivers from the National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth
• Resources for Children’s Advocacy Centers, Partners and Caregivers — resources from the National Children’s Alliance Learning Center
• Sexual Behavior in Children and Youth webinar series — webinar series from OneOp (formerly Military Families Learning Network)
• Sexual Development and Behavior in Children — information from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network
• Understanding and Coping with Sexual Behavior Problems in Children — article from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network
• Childhood Sexual Behaviors flyer — flyer offering guidance on when to reach out for help if a child exhibits sexual behaviors
• Military OneSource Podcast Series — podcasts addressing typical sexual development and other military life topics