45: Understanding technology-assisted harmful sexual behaviour (TA-HSB)

NSPCC Learning Podcast

TA-HSB is when children and young people use the internet or technology such as mobile phones to engage in sexual activity that may be harmful to themselves or others.
Listen to Pat Branigan, the NSPCC’s Associate Head of Development, Emma Hodgson, an NSPCC development social worker and Carol Carson from the AIM Project discuss:

• the prevalence and different forms of TA-HSB
• the NSPCC's research into this area
• the challenges for professionals around the fast-paced nature of technology
• resources available to help develop confidence in managing incidents of TA-HSB.

Read the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
💬 About the speakers

Pat Branigan is the Associate Head of Development at the NSPCC and leads the charity’s response to child sexual abuse with a focus on preventing harmful sexual behaviour displayed by children and young people. In addition to this, he’s an anthropologist with a background in public health and has led research into sensitive sexual health topics at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
Emma Hodgson, a qualified social worker, has worked for the NSPCC for the past 16 years and is a part of the NSPCC/AIM development group that has produced guidance on HSB and technology. Her current role as a Development Social Worker involves developing and delivering HSB and child sexual abuse training and facilitating workshops for professionals working with children and families.
Carol Carson is an independent social work consultant with 30 years’ experience in safeguarding children and is the manager of The AIM Project. She has 25 years specialising in assessing and working with children and adolescents with harmful sexual behaviours. This includes writing several books on the subject.
📚 Related resources

> See our resources and research about harmful sexual behaviour

> Read more about Hackett's continuum

> Have a look at our research on the prevalence of TA-HSB

> Listen to the first episode in this series on direct work with children

> Listen to the second episode in this series on planning therapeutic sessions

> Find out more about the AIM Project

> Learn more about the TA-HSB guidance training course
Intro/outro music is Lights by Sappheiros