Secret Encounters: Addressing Sexual Behaviors in Group Settings

When sexual behaviors are detected at camp, are you prepared to deal with these situations? It is critical that program directors and other staff are trained in the preferred coping mechanisms to use when sexual behaviors are encountered in group settings. As director of the Education and Support for the Parents Program at the Philadelphia Department of Human Services, author Michael Shelton uses his experience in this unique program, which focuses on teaching parents (and other caregivers) how to cope with both normative and non-normative expressions of childhood and teenage sexuality to inform and educate the youth development community. Shelton's experience extends to his work with the Joseph J. Peters Institute, the first facility in the country to focus only on the treatment of sexual offending and sexual victimization.

The risks of introducing a "predatory" child molester into a group setting and how to prevent this continue to be a real concern; however, child molestation is not the most often encountered sexual incident. Insurance records and "hotline" calls seeking impartial, trained assistance show that the majority of in-camp incidents that cause alarm are not "predatory" in nature but more relational. Incidents involving sexual behaviors between campers or staff, staff in front of campers, questions about campers who had previous sexual encounters of some type, or even children with sexual knowledge beyond their maturity level often as the result of exposure to adult materials resulting from poor parental boundaries are the most common sexual incidents. This important work will help you become aware of the potential issues and be prepared to deal with both normal and non-normal sexual behaviors. While being careful not to offer any canned solutions or "step-by-step" plans, Shelton offers you direction and guidance on how to minimize the opportunities, create a "safe" community, and explore your own values in an effort to more carefully incorporate those values in the group setting. Important information for anyone working with youth.