SEXUAL activity among 11 and 12-year-olds -
including those of the same sex - is normal, a new Federal Government report
claims.
The Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault has listed
"peer-related sexual activity" as "developmentally
appropriate" for pre-teen children aged 11 and 12. And it states that
sexual activity between kids of the same sex does not mean they are homosexual.
The "developmentally appropriate sexual behaviours" are listed
in a new report revealing big brothers are five times more likely than fathers
or uncles to sexually abuse young children. But the Australian Institute of
Family Studies - which controls the Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault - is
insisting that "sexual activity" does not refer to sex. "Everyone
knows that sexual activity does not mean penetrative sex," the institute's
head of research, Daryl Higgins, said on Oct. 23. "Everyone who has done
research in the field knows it is a broad range of things, from kissing to
flirting."
Dr Higgins said the list of appropriate and inappropriate
sexual behaviours for children of various ages was a summary of research
studies, and "not advice to parents". However child
protection group yesterday said the list was "a bit misleading".
"They probably needed to explain that a little bit better,"
Bravehearts research manager Carol Ronken said. "At that age, exploration
is perfectly normal - it's the old 'first-base' thing with
kissing, but not actual penetrative sex."
The federally funded incest report reveals that most parents usually
ignore, deny or downplay sibling sexual abuse as child's play. Little sisters
are the usual victims, but often won't dob in their abusive brothers for fear
of "rocking the boat". "Sibling abuse is an under-reported and
hidden crime," the report says. "(It) has historically been ignored,
minimised or denied by parents, professionals and authorities as benign sexual
experimentation." "(But) studies indicate that sibling sexual abuse
is more prevalent than other types of intra-familial sexual abuse."
Siblings are three to five times more likely than parents, grandparents
or aunts and uncles to sexually abuse a child, the report says. Brothers are
the most common abusers, targeting a sister or brother typically five years
younger. Siblings often used their hands and feet to subdue the victim, or used
verbal coercion, threats, bribery or trickery. About eight in every 10 victims
are younger than 13, the study says, but many fear telling their parents. Dr
Higgins urged parents to seek counseling for all their children if
they suspected abuse. "The most important thing is not to flip out,"
he said. "The first temptation for parents is to turn a blind eye that
it's a bit of experimental mucking around. "Often it takes young people
three or four or five times before they're believed and action is taken."
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What's "developmentally
appropriate"
0-5 years - Exploratory
touch. Looking at themselves and others.
6-10 years - Playing
games such as "doctors and nurses". Telling dirty jokes and using
dirty words. Showing interest in changes in their bodies.
11-12 years -
Masturbation. Peer related sexual activity. Sexual activity with same gender
... not regarded as indicating homosexuality.
What's not
0-5 years - Obsessive
preoccupation with sexual behaviour. Re-enacting adult sexual activities.
Behaviour involves self injury or coercion, threats, secrecy, violence and
aggression.
6-10 years - Sexual
penetration, genital kissing, oral copulation, simulated intercourse.
11-12 years - any sexual
play with a younger child.
13-18 - Compulsive
masturbation, attempt to touch or expose other's genitals, sexual contact with
animals and younger children, using sexual themes to degrade others or
themselves, chronic preoccupation with sex and pornography.
News.com.au
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