POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 79 XXXVI. Legal accountability for offending behaviour must be acknowledged and communicated; XXXVII. Evaluation of the youth offender must include a thorough assessment conducted by a therapist trained to work with sex offenders; XXXVIII. Treatment in peer groups designed specifically for teen sex offenders is the preferred mode of intervention. Treatment programs for adolescent offenders should be staffed by persons trained to provide sex-offence specific interventions. All young offenders should be given a thorough assessment to develop an individualized program of care designed to meet their specific needs. Professionals who work with adolescent sex offenders may choose a combination of individual, group, and family therapy, depending on the needs of the youth and the circumstances of the offence. Teens in treatment are often provided with anger management and impulse control skills, basic sex education, relapse prevention techniques, life skills,and strategies to help them deal with their distorted thinking patterns. Because the adolescent sex offender field is relatively new, we are still a long way from having all the information we need to be able to predict with a high degree of accuracy who will offend. Treatment providers, struggling with limited resources, are challenged to provide thorough assessments and comprehensive treatment interventions. Prevention XXXIX. We must be mindful of the words we use to discuss teen sex offending. Sexual offending behaviour is only one aspect of the young person’s life. Labelling a youth a "sex offender" can have significant negative developmental consequences. We need to see the behaviour in a wider context of the youth’s life and experience. We also need to recognize that teens often get their ideas about sex and sexuality from adults in the world around them. Currently, pornography is the principle source of information about sex and sexuality for young people. XL. We should understand a young person’s curiosity about sex and learn to recognize the difference between appropriate sexual experimentation and problematic sexual behaviour. XLI. Because many adolescents who offend were themselves victimized, we have to recognize the importance of dealing with the underlying harm caused by their own abuse. If we neglect to do so, we will have little success in treating their offending behaviour. XLII. Some adolescents begin sex offending before they reach 12 years of age. Many of these children are simply reacting to their own abuse. Others may copy sexual behaviour they have witnessed on the part of older siblings, adults, or in pornography. Therefore, early identification and treatment are essential for all young children who have been abused. XLIII. We need to take all problematic sexual behaviour of children and teens seriously. Holding abusers accountable, regardless of their age, is important for the well-being and healing of victims. It also brings abusers to the attention of those who can help stop them from harming themselves and others again. XLIV. While always potentially harmful to victims, some sex offending behaviour can start with curiosity and experimentation with younger children and siblings then gradually get out of hand. Parents and caregivers should closely monitor the sexual behaviours of children and provide gentle corrective feedback to them immediately. XLV. There is a need to provide young people with appropriate, age-relevant information about sex and sexuality. Emphasis should be placed not simply on sex, birth control, or sexually transmitted diseases, but also include information about feelings, relationshipbuilding, dating, power and control, sexual harassment, consent, and force. XLVI. The best teacher for a child or teen is a positive adult who models a sense of equality in relationships, possesses accurate information about sex, and is comfortable with his or her own sexuality. Such a person should use clear, concise and direct language. Using vague or complicated terms reveals the adult’s discomfort and suggests to the youth that there is something shameful about sex. XLVII. Adults should carefully screen teenaged baby sitters, both male and female, before using their services. Hire only mature and competent teens or adults. Obtain references from other families. Carefully observe the child’s behaviour around this person, especially when returning home. XLVIII. You can support local and national efforts in the media and popular entertainment to eliminate harmful sexual stereotypes, the sexualization of children and youth, the undue exploitation of male and female sexuality, and violent sexual images. XLIX. Experts in this field agree that there is a need to develop and support multi-disciplinary, coordinated continuum of care, including post-program supports or aftercare for these young offenders. Professionals within the continuum from child welfare and counsellors to police, probation officers, and the judiciary should possess a common understanding of the most current information available regarding adolescent sex offending behaviour and treatment. Reporting Child Sexual Abuse If you believe you have reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is being sexually exploited or abused, promptly report your concerns to the child welfare agency, provincial or territorial social services department or police force in your community. In all cases, the person reporting is protected from any kind of legal action, provided the report is not falsely made and motivated by malice. Where to Go for Support Services Contact your local: • child welfare agency, • police department, • social service agency, • hospital, • mental health centre, • sexual assault centre, • transition home, • distress centre, or other community service organizations that provide counselling to children and families. Many of these organizations are listed among the emergency telephone numbers on or near the first page of your local telephone directory. Children who want help can also call the Kids' Help phone at 1-800-668-6868.
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