The Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children and Youth (PSB-CY) program is a specialized service offered through the Family Advocacy Program (FAP). Established in response to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019, its primary goals are to provide supportive services to military families through clinical assessment, safety planning, and treatment.
What is Problematic Sexual Behavior?
Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children and Youth (PSB-CY) includes behaviors initiated by children and youth under the age of 18 that involve sexual body parts (genitals, anus, buttocks or breasts) that are not typical sexual behaviors and are developmentally inappropriate, or potentially harmful to the individual(s) initiating the behaviors, the individual(s) impacted by the behaviors or others.
Although the term sexual is used, the intentions and motivations for these behaviors may or may not be related to sexual gratification or sexual stimulation. The behaviors may be more likely to be related to curiosity, anxiety, need for affection, imitation, self-calming, or other reasons.
Understanding the Spectrum of Childhood Sexual Behaviors
It’s helpful to understand the difference between typical and concerning behaviors. Natural child development includes sexual development. It's normal for children to be curious, ask questions, and engage in harmless self-exploration or sexual play with peers of a similar age and developmental level.
Normative (common) Sexual Behaviors: Sexual behaviors are considered developmentally normative when they occur infrequently and are easily distractible (i.e. the child is responsive to redirection). These behaviors are unplanned, intermittent, involve children of a similar age, size and developmental levels, and is agreed upon by both children.
Cautionary (Less common) Sexual Behaviors: Cautionary behaviors are identified as those that are disruptive to others and only moderately responsive to distraction or redirection.
Problematic (Uncommon) Sexual Behaviors: Problematic behaviors are frequently disruptive to others and persist even after distraction and redirection. Children exhibiting these behaviors may cause harm to themselves or others and persist after explicit redirection. Redirection may be met with anger from the child. Problematic sexual behaviors are often initiated with strong feelings such as anger, aggression, strong anxiety, coercion or manipulation, threats, abuse of power, or force of any kind.
A Coordinated, Supportive Approach
The response to PSB-CY is different from how FAP typically handles child abuse or domestic abuse cases. It's important to understand that the response to PSB-CY is different from how FAP typically responds to child abuse or domestic abuse cases. PSB-CY incidents are managed by the PSB-CY Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), not through the Incident Determination Committee (IDC). This team approach allows us to collaboratively assess risk, address safety needs, and coordinate supportive services for all children and family members involved.
While your family’s participation in the clinical and supportive services offered by the FAP PSB-CY program is entirely voluntary, it is important to know that the response from the MDT is required if a child’s behavior is categorized as ‘problematic’ in accordance with a formal risk assessment (the Non-Clinical Referral Tool 3179). We strongly encourage proactive engagement with the program as a best path forward.
You Role as a Parent or Caregiver is Key
If you have concerns about your child’s behavior, it's important to know that most children respond very well to informed parent support, increased supervision, and evidence-based treatment. A natural reaction for any parent is to be proactive or to avoid confronting this issue out of fear or uncertainty. However, we know from experience that when families face this challenge head-on with professional support, their children have the best possible chance for a positive and healthy outcome. Research shows that your involvement as a parent or caregiver is the most critical factor in your child’s healthy sexual development.
You may feel uncomfortable or confused when your child asks about their body, displays sexual behavior, or you hear about them doing so. It's common for adults to view child sexual behavior through an adult lens, but it's crucial to see it as a child behavior. Experts agree that children who engage in concerning sexual behavior should be treated with the same care and intervention as children with any other behavioral challenge. While more common than we once thought, these behaviors can cause distress, and we are here to help.
The Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) and FAP offer a range of resources to empower you.
These services can help you:
- Encourage your child’s healthy development.
- Teach and reinforce healthy boundaries and consent.
- Strengthen the parent-child relationship.
- Apply effective safety, monitoring, and supervision rules at home and in the community.
One excellent resource is the SHAPE (Sexual Health through Approachable Prevention and Education) parenting course for parents and caregivers. This course is offered in person at your local FFSC or virtually via the SHAPE portal within MyNavyFamily).
We Are Here to Support You
Your FAP representative, as well as members of the PSB-CY MDT, are committed to supporting you and your child throughout this process. You are not alone. To get started, please connect with your installation’s FAP office.
Find Your Local FAP Representative: FFSC Directory Link
Additional Resources: Military One Source: https://go.usa.gov/xtKQ9
Updated 8 April 2026