Supporting students that are experiencing or have been impacted by Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) requires a safe, consistent, and inclusive approach.

Trauma Informed Approach: (Government of Western Australia, 2022, p36).

As said in previous pages of this website, I would aim to have a trauma informed approach. Which is understanding the impact of trauma on behaviour and learning, and instead of punishing them, they support them with care and understanding. This is a beneficial approach as it will make the child impacted by HSB feel heard, safe, and supported, which will allow them to regulate emotions. It also leads to positive behaviour and improved school relationships and performance, reducing shame and escalation. 

How to implement this if it was at a school:

1. Stay calm, check for danger, stop the HSB with no public calling out, shaming, or disrespect.
2. Separate students involved and check for safety of students.
3. Support the impacted student with comfort, privacy, and support.
4. Do not investigate (no details), write down what you observed and heard using facts.
5. Follow your school policy, which could be report to wellbeing leader or leadership team.
6. Plan for next steps with students involved (classroom changes, safety plan, restorative conversations)
7. Update families who are involved and keep privacy.
8. Monitor and have regular check ins with students who are effective
9. Update students with reteaching consent and boundaries in a respectful and safe way.

As a teacher we aren’t there to investigate or blame students, but to observe behaviours, respond in a professional manner, and follow the schools polices and legal requirements.

Whole School Approach: (Victoria State Government, 2024)

Another approach that would be beneficial in schools and for teachers to follow is the whole school approach. This involves having shared values, policies and practices that everyone in the school follows to ensure safety and wellbeing. For HSB this may include having clear and strict boundaries and rules, and having regular teachings of consent and respectful relationships.

Steps to implement in a school:

1. Establish clear procedures and policies for responding to HSB.
2. Ensure training and support is in place for staff to be safe and educated on using practices.
3. Consistent and professional boundaries and language on respectful behaviour and consent.
4. Have students learn about consent, respectful relationships and behaviour for year levels of students.
5. Have a school wellbeing team for students and staff to go to for guidance and support.
6. Work collaboratively with students, school, parents to improve school environment.
7. Monitor and review policies and procedures to ensure student safety is effective.

A whole school approach will make all staff respond to HSB consistently and follow the schools shared policies and procedures. This will support the students wellbeing and give guidance to teachers unsure on how to handle these complex situations.