A pilot evaluation of a training programme on understanding and responding to sexual behaviours in children and young people

ABSTRACT

Practitioners who work with children and young people such as educators, psychologists, and social workers, are required to understand and respond to various sexual behaviours in children and young people. However, there is a dearth of training programmes dealing with sexual development. To reduce over- and under-reporting of risk, which can have serious adverse outcomes, it is essential to educate practitioners in understanding and responding appropriately to sexual behaviours. This study evaluated Traffic Lights® professional development training programme – a one-day programme offered across Queensland, Australia, with the goal of educating practitioners and promoting safe and respectful sexual health among children and young people. Thirty postgraduate psychology students working with/interested in working with children and young people received Traffic Lights® training, and accuracy of understanding and responding to sexual behaviours presented in scenarios was assessed pre- and post-training. Participant responses were scored using criteria developed by a local sexual health organisation’s research specialists. Findings revealed no significant improvement in understanding and responding to sexual behaviours in children and young people. Implications of this study include recommendations for small-scale evaluations with sexual health experts and follow-up research, which is critical given the need for evidence-based practice in this area.

KEYWORDS:

• Traffic Lights®
• professional development/training
• sexual development
• developmentally-appropriate
• sexual behaviours
• children and young people

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Participants did not agree for their data to be publicly available. The assessment materials are available in the online appendices and by request.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2023.2208523

Notes

1. In Australia mandatory reporting training advises professionals how to identify and report instances of child abuse and neglect according to state and territory laws. Those who are required to partake in mandatory reporting training differ across states. For more information see: https://aifs.gov.au/resources/resource-sheets/mandatory-reporting-child-abuse-and-neglect#:~:text=Legislation%20in%20all%20jurisdictions%20except,children%20aged%20under%2016%20years.

Additional information

Funding

MJG received in-kind support for this study as a staff member of the University of Queensland as did CM through her position at True Relationships. LEA was supported by a Research Training Program scholarship and a Children’s Hospital Foundation top-up scholarship (RPCPHD0152017). MJG was supported by a Medical Research Future Fund Translating Research into Practice (TRIP) Fellowship (1167986). The venue and equipment were provided by the University of Queensland and GG’s strategic funding.