Porn: This is a quickly-rising factor leading children to sexually harm others today. No matter how vigilant and careful parents are, no home is porn-proof in the internet age. It is increasingly common for children to be exposed to online porn, including content depicting violence and/or sexual contact between siblings, before the age of 10. When children and teens view porn, it blurs their boundaries and distorts their expectations for in-person sexuality. Most children who have viewed porn do not act out physically against other children. But children are naturally curious and inclined to imitate what they see adults doing. They cannot understand that what is portrayed as pleasurable on a screen would be painful, traumatic, and illegal in real life. Compulsive and addictive behavior related to porn use is becoming increasingly common in adolescents. See our page: Pornography & Harmful Sexual Behavior. Sources: Collective Shout: I was a child abuse detective. And even I couldn't protect my child from porn, Inquiry into Age Verification, Parliament of Australia, Office of Children's Commissioner Report (UK): Basically, porn is everywhere, Your Brain on Porn: Review of Literature, National Center on Sexual Exploitation Research Reports

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Prior abuse of the child causing the harm: Some children who sexually harm others have been sexually traumatized in the past. Most child sexual abuse is unknown to adults. Many children may deny being sexually abused (especially boys and men), or do not even remember it. They may actually find it easier to admit they did something wrong than to admit that wrong was done to them. Research suggests that around half of children who display harmful sexual behavior were previously sexually abused. It is also important to note that most children who have been sexually abused do not go on to harm others.

 

Exposure to other kinds of abuse in the home: Even if a child has not been directly sexually abused, experiencing or witnessing physical or emotional abuse raises the risk of the child crossing boundaries and behaving in an abusive way toward siblings or others. Sometimes children who suffer from parental neglect will turn to siblings for physical or emotional comfort, and this comfort becomes sexualized over time.

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Exploitation by an adult who coerces the children to perform sexual acts: Sometimes the adult who entices the children to behave sexually with each other acts in person, such as a family member. Increasingly, children are being coerced online to perform and/or record sexual activity. Children are further exploited when others view this material, either live or online. Recorded images are often used to threaten or blackmail the children as well, a horrific downward spiral. Sources: Internet Watch Foundation Report: Child Sexual Abuse Material of a 'Self-Generated' Nature. 20,000 Reports of Coerced 'Self-Generated' CSAM Show 7- to 10-year Olds, Anonymous Reporting Tool for CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material), Take It Down! Tool for images taken before age 18

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Opportunity and Immaturity: Preteens' and teens' brains have not yet developed the full capacity to control their impulses. They cannot predict the consequences of their actions as well as a mature adult. Their sexual curiosity and desire may be greater than their self-control. Siblings may be the only other children they are around without adult supervision. Tragically, youth often act out sexually against a sibling simply because the sibling is easily accessible.  

 

The peak age range for anyone to engage in behavior that sexually harms a child is 11-14 years old.  At this age, they are still children, below the age of consent. The vast majority will never be charged with a sexual offense later in life. See our page: Youth Aren't Adults

 

Atypical Development or Neurodiversity: Children whose physical and sexual development outpaces their mental maturity and social skills seem to be at higher risk for harmful sexual behavior, as well as higher risk to be sexually exploited. Social isolation can also play a role. See our page: Unique Brains and Harmful Sexual Behavior.

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Inadequate parental supervision: There’s no way around it: many parents have to work, have to care of other children in the family, have their own human stresses and limitations. Homes have limited space. No parent can or even should supervise all children 24/7. Children can gain a lot of benefit from unstructured time with each other. Yet it is frighteningly easy for parents to put a child in a situation that the child does not have the self-control to handle appropriately, such as babysitting a younger sibling or sleeping in close quarters.  

 

Stress: Stress diminishes anyone’s ability to control their impulses. Children have a limited capacity for self-control to begin with. A child who is facing a stressful situation or living in a stressful environment may be more likely to act out sexually, to be unable to contain their actions.

 

Jealousy or Family Power Dynamics: Children who sense they are in a favored position within the family may take advantage of their status, knowing it protects them from parents believing what they have done or enforcing consequences. On the other hand, other children who are jealous of other siblings’ favor or status in the family may turn to sexual abuse as a form of retaliation.

 

Alcohol or Drug Use: These can reduce self-control, and are a risk factor for crossing sexual boundaries at any age.  

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Sources: Faure-Walker & Hunt 2022, Finkelhor et al 2009, Grant et al 2009,  Joyal et al 2016, Latzman et al 2011, McKibben et Al 2017,  Pratt et al 2012, Wortley & Smallbone 2006