Access and Engagement with Services for Sexual Safety for Children and Young People with Problematic and Harmful Sexual Behaviour (AccESS Study)

This research has been commissioned by NSW Ministry of Health, as part of their program of work to improve service system design and response to children and young people who have displayed problematic and harmful sexual behaviour (PHSB).

This program of work responds to the findings and recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse which found that PHSB by children and young people remains a serious but largely hidden concern.

This research had two overarching objectives. First, it aimed to explore characteristics and services pathways of children and young people who have displayed PHSB. Second, it drew on the perspectives and lived experiences of young people, parents and carers to identify factors that support or hinder service accessibility and engagement.