The traffic light system* explains and enables school staff to recognise age-appropriate and inappropriate sexual behaviour and is a snapshot of guide of when and how they should respond.
- RED signals sexual behaviours which indicate or cause harm
- ORANGE signals sexual behaviours which case concern
- GREEN signals behaviours part of normal and healthy development
RED – provide immediate protection and support
Sexual behaviours indicate or cause harm because they are:
- excessive, compulsive, coercive, forceful, degrading or threatening
- secretive, manipulative or involve bribery or trickery
- not appropriate for the age and stage of development
- between children with a significant difference in age, developmental ability or power.
These behaviours signal the need to provide immediate protection and follow up support.
ORANGE – monitor and provide extra support
Sexual behaviours which cause concern because of:
- persistence, intensity, frequency or duration of behaviours
- the type of activity or knowledge for the age and stage of development
- inequality in age, size, power or developmental ability
- risk to the health and safety of the child or others
- unusual changes in a child’s behaviour.
These behaviours signal the need to monitor and provide extra support.
GREEN – provide opportunities to talk, explain and support.
Sexual behaviours which are part of normal and healthy development. They are:
- spontaneous, curious, light-hearted, easily diverted, enjoyable, mutual and consensual
- appropriate to the child’s age and development
- activities or play among equals in terms of age, size and ability levels
- about understanding and gathering information, balanced with curiosity about other parts of life.
These behaviours provide opportunities to talk, explain and support.
*Traffic lights adapted from the Child at Risk Assessment Unit (2000). Age Appropriate Sexual Play and Behaviour in Children. ACT Government Community Care 5-11
The traffic light system by age
To better understand what is age-appropriate sexual behaviour refer to the summary of behaviours broken down using the traffic light system. The red category is harmful and the green category is normal.
RED
- compulsive masturbation which may be self-injurious, of a persistent nature or duration
- persistent explicit sexual themes in talk, art or play
- disclosure of sexual abuse
- simulation of sexual touch or sexual activity
- persistently touching the genitals/private parts of others
- forcing other children to engage in sexual activity
- sexual behaviour between young children involving penetration with objects, masturbation of others, oral sex
- presence of a sexually transmitted infection.
ORANGE
- masturbation in preference to other activities
- preoccupation with sexual behaviours
- persistently watching others in sexual activity, toileting or when nude
- explicit sexual talk, art or play
- following others into private spaces e.g. toilets, bathrooms to look at them or touch them
- pulling other children’s pants down or skirts up against their will
- touching the genitals/private parts of other children in preference to other activities
- attempting to touch or touching adults on the breasts.
GREEN
- comfort in being nude
- body touching and holding own genitals
- unselfconscious masturbation
- interest in body parts and functions
- wanting to touch familiar children’s genitals during play, toilet or bath times
- participation in make believe games involving looking at and/or touching the bodies of familiar children e.g. ‘show me yours and I’ll show you mine’, playing ‘family’
- asking about or wanting to touch the breasts, bottoms or genitals of familiar adults e.g. when in the bath.
5 to 9 years
10 to 13 years
14 to 17 years
RED
- compulsive masturbation e.g. self-harming, seeking an audience
- engaging vulnerable others in a process to gain sexual activity by using grooming techniques e.g. gifts, lies, flattery
- force or coercion of others into sexual activity
- oral sex and/or intercourse with a person of different age, developmental ability and/or peer grouping * presence of sexually transmitted infection or pregnancy
- deliberately sending and/or publishing sexual images of self or another person
- arranging a face-to-face meeting with an online acquaintance
- sexual contact with animals
- sexual activity in exchange for money or goods
- possessing, accessing or sending child exploitation materials e.g. photos of children naked or in sexual activities.
ORANGE
- masturbation in preference to other activities, in public and/or causing self-injury
- persistent explicit talk, art or play which is sexual or sexually intimidating
- accessing age restricted materials e.g. movies, games, internet with sexually explicit content
- persistent expression of fear of sexually transmitted infection or pregnancy
- marked changes to behaviour e.g. older or adult flirting behaviours, seeking relationships with older children or adults in preference to peers
- engaging in sexual activities with an unknown peer e.g. deep kissing, mutual masturbation
- oral sex and/or intercourse with a known partner of similar age and developmental ability
- using mobile phones and internet with unknown people which may include giving out identifying details
GREEN
- growing need for privacy
- masturbation in private
- curiosity and seeking information about sexuality
- use of sexual language
- interest and/or participation in girlfriend or boyfriend relationships
- hugging, kissing, touching with known peers
- exhibitionism amongst same age peers within the context of play e.g. occasional flashing or mooning
- use of mobile phones and internet in relationships with known peers.
RED
- compulsive masturbation e.g. self-injuring, self-harming, seeking an audience
- disclosure of sexual abuse
- persistent bullying involving sexual aggression e.g. pulling/lifting/removing other children’s clothing, sexually threatening notes, drawing, text messages
- sexual behaviour with significantly younger or less able children
- accessing the rooms of sleeping children to touch or engage in sexual activity
- simulation of, or participation in, sexual activities e.g. oral sex, sexual intercourse
- presence of a sexually transmitted infection
- persistent sexual activity with animals
- using mobile phones and internet which includes giving out identifying details or sexual images.
ORANGE
- masturbation in preference to other activities, in public, with others and/or causing self-injury
- explicit talk, art or play of sexual nature
- persistent questions about sexuality despite being answered
- persistent nudity and/or exposing private parts in public places
- persistently watching or following others to look at or touch them
- pulling other children’s pants down or skirts up against their will
- persistently mimicking sexual flirting behaviour too advanced for age, with other children or adults
- touching genitals/private parts of animals after redirection
- use of mobile phone and internet with known and unknown people which may include giving out identifying details
GREEN
- increased sense of privacy about bodies
- body touching and holding own genitals
- masturbation, usually with awareness of privacy
- curiosity about other children’s genitals involving looking at and/or touching the bodies of familiar children e.g. ‘show me yours and I’ll show you mine’, playing ‘family’
- curiosity about sexuality e.g. questions about babies, gender, relationships, sexual activity
- telling stories or asking questions, using swear words, ‘toilet’ words or names for private parts
- use of mobile phones and internet in relationships with known peers.
RED
- compulsive masturbation e.g. self-harming, in public, seeking an audience
- preoccupation with sexually aggressive and/or illegal pornography
- sexual contact with others of significant age and/or developmental difference
- engaging others in a process to gain sexual activity by using grooming techniques e.g. gifts, manipulation, lies
- deliberately sending and/or publishing sexual images of another person without their consent
- arranging a meeting with an online acquaintance without the knowledge of a peer or known adult * sexual contact with animals
- sexual activity in exchange for money, goods, accommodation, drugs or alcohol
- forcing or manipulating others into sexual activity
- possessing, accessing or sending child exploitation materials.
ORANGE
- sexual preoccupation which interferes with daily function
- intentional spying on others while they are engaged in sexual activity or nudity
- explicit communications, art or actions which are obscene or sexually intimidating
- repeated exposure of private parts in a public place with peers e.g. flashing
- unsafe sexual behaviour, including unprotected sex, sexual activity while intoxicated, multiple partners and/or frequent change of partner
- presence of sexually transmitted infection or unplanned pregnancy
- oral sex and/or intercourse with known partner of more than two years age difference or with significant difference in development
- arranging a meeting with an online acquaintance accompanied by a peer or known adult
- using mobile phones and internet to send or receive sexual images of another person with their consent.
GREEN
- need for privacy
- masturbation in private
- accessing information about sexuality
- viewing materials for sexual arousal e.g. music videos, magazines, movies
- sexually explicit mutual conversations and/or use of humour and obscenities with peers
- interest and/or participation in a one-on-one relationship with someone of the same or other sex
- sexual activity with a partner of similar age and developmental ability (ability to consent must be considered)
- use of mobile phones and internet in relationships with peers.