New research has confirmed the alarming number of children sexually abusing other children.
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The national survey commissioned by Act for Kids revealed a staggering 24 per cent of child abuse cases involve another child.
It also showed peer-on-peer abuse was often undetected by parents, who assumed their kids are safe around other kids.
Act for Kids released the research ahead of Child Protection Week (September 1-7) to urge parents to take the necessary steps to protect their children online and learn more about the warning signs of problematic sexual behaviours.
The survey of 2000 people revealed while three quarters of Australians blame access to adult content for problematic behaviours, two-thirds of parents still fail to secure their devices and one in two allow their children unsupervised access online.
New Street Illawarra Shoalhaven clinical coordinator Melissa Brown said whilst problem behaviours can be a serious issue within the community, the majority of young people's sexual behaviours are developmentally expected and healthy.
"New Street is a family focussed early intervention and prevention program, which can help troubled kids turn their lives around, often as a result of being abused themselves," Ms Brown said.
"Since starting in 1998, New Street has helped hundreds of children and their families and is regarded as a valuable, evidence-based program in redressing child sexual abuse.".
New Street is part of the NSW Government's $200 million Sexual Assault Strategy which aims to improve the existing service system for adults and children who experience sexual assault.
Ms Brown said it also seeks to raise awareness of sexual violence.
While there are a number of places children might learn problematic behaviours, easy access to age-inappropriate content is a major factor in influencing these young minds.
- Act for Kids program manager Miranda Bain
Act for Kids program manager Miranda Bain said the survey findings were both surprising and scary,
"There is a lack of knowledge amongst parents of what constitutes problematic sexual behaviours in children and how these behaviours have the potential to lead to more harmful peer-on-peer abuse," Ms Bain said.
"While there are a number of places children might learn problematic behaviours, easy access to age-inappropriate content is a major factor in influencing these young minds."
Act for Kids executive services director and psychologist Dr Katrina Lines said it was vital parents take the necessary steps to protect their children online and learn more about the warning signs of problematic sexual behaviours.
"Some steps parents can take to protect their kids is making sure they understand normal child sexual development and curiosity and share accurate facts and information about sexuality with their children," Dr Lines said.
"I think parents should ensure they spend quality time with their kids doing fun things without technology.
"Teaching children protective behaviours, especially about private and public body parts is also relevant."
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
