EARLY YEARS: Experts explain warning signs of child-on-child sexual abuse and how parents can respond

VIRGINIA (WDBJ) - The Family and Children’s Trust Fund of Virginia is working to raise awareness about children displaying problematic sexual behavior toward other children.

Natural sexual curiosity is part of growing up. But if “playing doctor” evolves into unwanted touching or other inappropriate behavior, deeper problems can emerge.

“And I think when we start to worry is when, of course, they’re getting a little older, and it becomes more secretive. It’s repetitive. And it is like this coercive or aggressive behavior,” said Charle’ McCauley, director of communications at the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Virginia.

There are often contributing factors.

“The child could have a history of being sexually abused themselves, but not necessarily. They could also be exposed to lack of boundaries in their home. They could be exposed online through unrestricted access to devices, and they may find things online,” said Allyson Jarvis, program director and lead forensic interviewer for Children’s Trust.

If a parent, caregiver or other adult spots this type of behavior in a child, experts say don’t ignore the behavior, but also don’t overreact to it.

“We do not want to demonize these children because they’re children, okay? And they may not understand the consequences of their behaviors, right, depending on their age. But we also... they’re kids. And this is just a behavior,” McCauley said.

To help prevent these types of incidents, it’s important for parents to set the right example.

“Model appropriate boundaries. Talk to your kids about body parts. Let them know what they can and cannot do, right? And who their safe people are to talk to and monitoring their exposure to things,” McCauley said.

The good news is, with the right kind of intervention, experts say there is a 90% chance that these children will not reenact those inappropriate behaviors.