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To develop harmful sexual behavior (HSB) early intervention strategies it is essential to understand how children come to engage in HSB. Through the lens of a pathways theory, this paper reports a scoping review of the literature in answer to the research question: What are the pathways to HSB onset for children and young people? Eight bibliographic databases were searched over the time period January 2000 to May 2022 using the following terms (and derivatives): harmful sexual behavior AND children and young people AND pathways. Forty-three papers were included and 10 pathways to onset identified through synthesis: Child sexual abuse victimization; Physical and emotional abuse; Living with domestic and family violence; Disrupted attachments; Sexual arousal; "Antisociality;" Pornography use; Inadequate sexual boundaries; Sexual attraction to children; and Hypermasculinity. The pathways are discussed in terms of opportunities for early intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) carried out by children and young people can include sexual abuse of younger children or adults, or sexual assault in dating or peer relationships. The aim of this paper is to capture the "practice wisdom" of practitioners and applied researchers about clusters of risk factors associated with HSB onset, as well as possibilities for earlier intervention. Participants included practitioners and applied researchers in the HSB field. Data was collected in 2020 through individual interviews with eight key expert informants, and two group interviews – the first with two applied researchers and the second with three practitioners. Data analysis revealed risk factor clusterings around five key childhood experiences: being sexually curious; having a sexual interest in children; living with childhood trauma; living with contextual violence; and using pornography. These clusters are discussed in relation to early intervention. PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT Harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) is preventable but the early intervention agenda is underdeveloped. In this paper, five risk clusters are identified: being sexually curious; having a sexual interest in children; living with childhood trauma; living with contextual violence; and using pornography. The identification of these risk clusters present opportunities for early intervention that could enhance the prevention agenda to address HSB in Australia and internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondary prevention efforts, which target risk and protective factors associated with harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) and seek to intervene early in the trajectory of HSB, are underdeveloped in Australia. This study explored design considerations for an online early intervention service for children and young people worried about their sexual thoughts and behaviours. A trauma-informed child right's framework underpinned the study, which involved 10 individual interviews with international experts in HSB, and one group interview (n = 3) with Australian practitioners. Analysis was carried out using thematic analysis. Results reflect design considerations in relation to: theoretical approaches; practice frameworks; service delivery components; and helpseeking challenges. Key tensions emerging from the results are discussed, including the need to move beyond binary constructions of victims and perpetrators. PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT: This paper has significant potential to influence practice in the field of harmful sexual behaviour prevention and response. The paper sets out the components of an early intervention online service for children and young people worried about their sexual thoughts and behaviours. The online service could be built and trialed for impact and efficacy in supporting children and young people not to sexually harm. It would be the first service of its kind in Australia and fill a gap in the current service delivery landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]