Read the case study about Henry, then complete the Sexual Behavior Reflection Tool. Reflect on your responses with a colleague.

Henry is 12 years old and in a sixth-grade classroom. Mrs. Samuels, his teacher, describes Henry as an outgoing and social student. He has a variety of interests and certainly enjoys the opportunity to socialize with peers in class. Henry lives with his father (Michael), mother (Brandy), and 14 year-old brother (Gavin). Brandy was deployed six months ago, and Michael has shared that this has been difficult for the family.

Technology seems to play a large presence in Henry’s household, and he frequently speaks to teachers and peers about shows and video games that contain violence and sex. Henry explores these themes during while at school and will pretend to “shoot” people, mimic sex-like interactions toward peers, and sometimes use sexually explicit language. When teachers talk with Henry about his actions and language, he says that Gavin talks this way and that, “Dad lets us watch whatever we want on TV.” Teachers praise Henry when he engages in more appropriate ways and try to redirect any undesirable behavior. Henry will stop the behavior or language in the moment, but it’s an ongoing issue.

Mrs. Samuels observed Henry and Bao, another sixth-grade student, together in the library. Mrs. Samuels saw Henry pull Bao’s pants down trying to expose and grab his genitals. Mrs. Samuels immediately yelled at Henry to “stop” and began to discuss safe versus unsafe touching with both students and the rules and expectations of the classroom. She was visibly flustered when doing this, and both students became upset. After everyone was able to calm down, Mrs. Samuels spoke individually with each student about the situation. Henry described that he was messing around with his friend, having a “good time.” When Mrs. Samuels asked Henry where he learned this behavior, Henry responded, “Gavin does it to me all the time.”

 

 

Sexual Behavior Reflection Tool

Team Responses

 

Is the behavior random or infrequent?

There is a pattern of concerning sexual behavior and knowledge, with one isolated incident that involved another student.

 

 

Is the behavior typical for the child’s age and developmental ability?

It appears Henry has advanced sexual knowledge for his age. Forcefully trying to expose another student's genitals is not typical for middle school students.

 

 

Is the behavior driven by curiosity, exploration, and playfulness?

It seems that Henry has been exposed to this type of sexual interaction. Given his development and response, Henry doesn't know that it is anything other than "having a good time."

 

 

If other students are involved, is it mutual and good-humored?

No. Mrs. Samuels observed Henry forcefully pull down Bao's pants. Both students were upset after Mrs. Samuels intervened.

 

 

If other students are involved, do they know each other well and are they of a similar age and development (<2 years)?

Yes, Henry and Bao are middle school students in the same grade.

 

 

Is the behavior easily redirected?

Though Mrs. Samuels has only observed Henry to engage in a sexual act once, there is a pattern of ongoing sexual behavior that is difficult to redirect.

 

 

Normative Sexual Behavior?

While the ongoing behavior (explicit language, imitating sex-like acts) may have been cautionary, the addition of the incident where Henry forcefully had another student engage in a sex act is non-normative.