Life course outcomes and developmental pathways for children and young people with harmful sexual behaviour

Most outcome studies for children and young people who have displayed harmful sexual behaviour have focused on sexual recidivism as their primary outcome measure. Relatively little is known about broader life outcomes for children displaying such behaviours, nor about the processes involved with longer-term developmental success or failure. This paper examines long-term life course outcomes for 69 adults in the UK who presented with abusive sexual behaviour as children. Between 10 and 20 years after their childhood sexual behaviour problems, few in the sample had sexually reoffended, but general life course outcomes were much less positive. A range of individual, relational and social/environmental factors appeared to be associated with successful and unsuccessful outcomes. Successful outcomes were associated with stable partner relationships, wider supportive relationships, and educational opportunity and achievement. The findings highlight the importance of broad-based, developmental interventions in assisting those with childhood sexual behaviour problems to live successfully. Practice impact statement: The findings outlined in this paper support a move away from a traditional focus on clinical programmes of “sex offence specific work” with young people towards more developmental approaches that focus actively on wider individual, relational, and socio-environmental factors associated with desistance and resilient life outcomes. This includes, but is not restricted to, interventions that are future-oriented and that promote the skills necessary for the development of supportive personal and intimate partner relationships. The importance of wider health promotion, general wellbeing and educational success is also emphasised.