The individual and contextual characteristics of young people who sexually harm in groups: a briefing on the findings from a study in four London boroughs

This briefing presents the findings of a study into the contextual profiles of young people suspected of displaying harmful sexual behaviours (HSB) in groups and/or on their own. It builds upon an international literature review into group-based HSB to: • explore the profiles of 49 young people who displayed HSB either in groups, on their own or in both contexts; • identify any differences between these cohorts of young people, and; • consider the implications for service design, delivery and commissioning. In a period when peer-on-peer abuse, sexual violence in schools and responses to young people affected by sexual abuse are high on the public and policy agenda, this briefing provides a timely contribution towards deepening how HSB is understood and in addition, ensuring that the provision of services is sufficient for safeguarding young people. In this sense the primary purpose of this briefing is to inform the commissioning, design and delivery of responses to HSB. Additional research publications will be produced to further explore the findings of the study upon which this briefing has been built.