Source: childhood-usa.org 2025
[page 48]
Improve the response to youth who have engaged in PSB by:
• Prohibiting the use of harmful assessment and management approaches—including the use of
polygraph tests
• Promoting evidence-based, trauma-informed treatment programs designed for youth who have
engaged in PSB
• Eliminating sex offender registration in all cases of children adjudicated delinquent,
without exception
When a child or teen has engaged in problematic
sexual behavior (PSB) the first instinct might
be to reach for the harshest tools—such as
invasive assessments, criminal charges and sex
offender registration. However, research shows
that children and teens are still developing
and treating them like criminals does far more
harm than good. Instead, responses should
be grounded in developmentally appropriate
and evidence-based interventions—not solely
adaptations of systems designed for adult
offenders—that emphasize accountability
and the opportunity for rehabilitation.
Why this matters
While PSB in minors is serious and must be
addressed, research demonstrates that early
age interventions can stop these problematic
behaviors, while helping youth to develop
healthy relationships and live safely within
their communities.
Children and teens who
have engaged in PSB may themselves also have
been exposed to violence within their homes
or communities.
Problematic sexual behavior is often
defined as: “a behavior displayed by children
or youth that involves sexual body parts or
acts, is outside their expected developmental
stage and causes harm to self or others.”
The use of invasive and
harsh assessment, treatment and management
tools designed for adult sex offenders risks
compounding trauma and can even increase
vulnerability to future harm. Systems must be
better equipped to respond with a more balanced
approach to ensure accountability, address the
often complex experiences and needs of the
young people involved and provide opportunities
for positive growth and development.
Looks like a someone has their version of a solution and is looking for a problem to fit. Why not just accept that sex is normal and that there isn’t anything “wrong” with these individuals? Is the summation of all this paper that if a teenager is doing something sexual that they need help? Who’s to gauge what is “problematic”? Or if they admit doing something sexual, will a bunch of clowns will show up at their house pressing them to find out some kind of event that could be construed into being responsible for their sexuality that said clowns further want to make into a crime somehow? Why not just leave them alone! Or does anyone have the capacity to accept the reality that teenagers are sexual?