Child on Child Abuse

Work with children and young people who abuse others – including those who sexually abuse/offend – should recognise that such children are likely to have considerable needs themselves, and also that they may pose a significant risk of harm to other children.


 

1. Introduction

1.1 Abuse by Children and Young People, Child on Child Abuse and Bullying can be complex and displayed in varying forms of behaviours by the individual or group carrying them out.

1.2 Abuse by Children and Young People can be targeted towards any other person whether a child or adult, whereas Child on Child Abuse is generally directed toward others within their peer group not withstanding this could be any child.

1.3 Bullying is sometimes minimised and seen as “normal” behaviours in keeping with the individuals’ development of “growing up”. Consideration has to be applied to the impact and distress caused to the intended victim. Unlike other behaviours bullying can occur due to perceived weaknesses or differences, including but not exclusive to: teasing over known family problems, unkind behaviour towards a withdrawn child, poor physical appearance consistent with abuse or neglect etc

1.4 All behaviours/offending can be extremely distressing for the victim/survivor and can place the individual at significant risk of harm. Bullying particularly can lead to direct physical, or psychological harm, self-harm and fabricated illness in order to avoid difficult/unmanageable situations, not to mention worst case scenario of death by suicide.

1.5 When dealing with complex child behaviours and escalation on behaviours as professionals we have to consider the offender/perpetrator alongside the victim in that they may, in some circumstances, be displaying problematic behaviours due to difficulty in their home life. Such behaviours can be a child protection issue in itself and/or can, in some circumstances, be an indication of child protection issues in the home.

1.6 Behaviours pertaining to the above are noted below, this is not in hierarchical order and not exhaustive:

  • Verbal Abuse – Race/Religion/Sexual Orientation etc
  • Emotional Abuse
  • Physical Abuse – No Injury to serious injury
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Cyber Abuse – Social Media/Gaming etc
  • Criminal Damage
  • Sexting
  • Make/Use/Distribute Indecent Images
  • Sextortion
  • Theft of property/money
  • Controlling of friendships
  • Threats/Intimidation

1.7 Bullying UK – supports a detailed list of behaviours attributed to Bullying.

1.8 Children who abuse/bully can present a risk of significant harm to others however are likely to have needs themselves, consideration of understanding the child contextually and recognising they may have considerable needs themselves (ACE’s); these children may be a child in need, and some will be at risk of, or suffering, significant Harm. Looking beyond the obvious and not isolating as perpetrators of abuse.

1.9 Children and young people who abuse others should be held to account for their actions and behaviours being cognisant of the response to them in supporting and meeting their needs in a way that meets their needs as well as protecting others.

1.10 All agencies must be aware of their responsibilities towards both children / young people and multi-agency management of cases must reflect this. It is possible that the child with the identified harmful behaviour may pose a significant risk of harm to their siblings, other children and/or adults. This is a complex area of work where specialist advice from the appropriate agency/organisation must be sought. Reference should also be made to procedures for vulnerable adults if an adult has been abused by a child or young person.

1.11 Three key principles should underpin all work with children and young people who abuse others:

  • There should be a coordinated approach between agencies, including appropriate and timely sharing of information to manage risk and support decision making.
  • The needs of the children and young people who abuse should be considered separately from the needs of their victims;
  • Statutory responsibilities under Working together to Safeguard Children should be considered in all cases, appreciating that these children may have considerable unmet developmental needs as well as specific needs arising from their behaviour.

1.12 If there is evidence suggesting that two or more abusers have acted together and / or that more than one child has been abused the Complex (Organised or Multiple) Abuse  procedure should be followed.

 

2 Types of Abuse

2.1 A child has the ability to commit many types of abuse and should not be discounted due to age.

The list is not hierarchical or exhaustive:

  • Verbal Abuse – Race/Religion/Sexual Orientation etc
  • Emotional Abuse
  • Physical Abuse – No Inury to serious injury
  • Sexual Abuse – Sexual Touching/Penetration/Rape etc
  • Cyber Abuse – Social Media/Gaming etc
  • Criminal Damage
  • Sexting
  • Make/Use/Distribute Indecent Images
  • Sextortion
  • Theft of property/money
  • Controlling of friendships
  • Threats/Intimidation
  • Domestic Abuse
  • Radicalisation
  • Exploitation

2.2 Symptoms of Abuse/Bullying

These may include the following (this list is not exhaustive)

  • Injuries
  • Damaged/missing possessions
  • Withdrawal 
  • Changes in habit – sleeping/eating
  • Medical Complains
  • Bed Wetting
  • Fear/Worry of going to school

 

3. Response and expectation re referrals/Child P and Child V

3.1 Any professional concerned that a young person may have abused another child or young person should refer the concern to the Police and/or Children’s Social Care as with any concern where a child is at risk of Significant Harm, in accordance with the Referrals & Assessment Procedure, or where an adult has been abused to the Police / Social Care In line with Vulnerable Adults Procedures .

3.2 Children’s and Adults Social Care along with the Police will follow their internal policies and procedures in respect of information received for new or existing cases/investigations and will determine what action is required for both the perpetrator and the victim through both single and multi-agency decision making.

3.3 Children’s Social Care and the Police when deciding on the appropriate response to a referral will apply professional judgement, where children or young people are reported to be perpetrators of abuse consideration has to be given to the full circumstances, and appropriate outcomes in considering all of the facts.

3.4 It is therefore important that all of the below factors are considered:

  • The nature and extent of the abusive behaviour/bullying
  • The context of the abusive behaviour/bullying
  • Specialist professional opinion/assessment of the behaviour where appropriate; 
  • The child's development, family and social circumstances; 
  • The risks to self and others including other children; 
  • The need for services, specifically focusing on the child’s harmful behaviour as well other significant needs.

3.5 Decisions for Children’s Social Care, Youth Offending Service, Police and any other agencies involved will include:

  • The most appropriate course of action within the criminal justice system.
  • Whether the young abuser should be the subject of a Child Protection Conference
  • Whether the victim should be the subject of a Child Protection Conference (or Vulnerable Adult depending on his / her age)
  • The Risk Assessment / Risk Management Plan that should be put in place to address the needs of the young abuser. 

3.6 Where the young person is alleged to have behaved in a sexually abusive manner, consideration can/should be given by the appropriate individual/agency for a referral to CAMHS.

3.7 Police would conduct a proportionate and timely investigation in line with Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act and actions undertaken under the provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

 

4. Strategy Discussion

4.1 In line with our Statutory obligations under Working Together to Safeguard Children consideration should be given by Children’s Social Care as to whether a Strategy Discussion is required to co-ordinate any investigation(s) for either the victim or perpetrator.

4.2 In any case there should be a co-ordinated multi agency approach on the part of the Police, Youth Offending Service, Children’s Social Care, Education and Health. 

4.3 Section 47 Enquiry (proceduresonline.com)

 

5. Child Protection Conference / Multi Agency Meeting

5.1 The perpetrator/child should only be the subject of a Child Protection Conference if he or she is considered personally to be at risk of Significant Harm.   Child Protection procedures should be followed if appropriate dependent upon the outcome of the Strategy discussion.

5.2 The Tees Safeguarding Children Partnership's advocate a partnership approach to assessments that encourage and promote co-working, the sharing of information, knowledge and specific expertise that can be translated into appropriate and positive interventions for these young people and their families.

 

6. Specialist Assessments for Sexually Harmful Behaviour

6.1 Children & Young People who perpetrate sexual abuse or display sexually harmful behaviour require a specialist assessment to be undertaken. 

6.2 Specialist Assessments should be applied to a child or young person, aged 10 years and over in order to identify risk and suitably manage their behaviour.

6.3 Information regarding the Specialist Assessment used by the local authorities in the Tees area can be accessed by contacting the relevant Local Authority Children’s Social Care.

6.4 The AIM assessment (Assessment, Intervention, Moving on) is used by some professionals however this is done under licensed agreement.

Chapter 3: The Nature of Harmful Sexual Behaviours (HSB) - Harmful sexual behaviour by children and young people: Expert Group report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/2019/harmful-sexual-behaviour-framework

7. Useful Guidance Pathway Tools, Contacts and Websites: