TRAILS Program

Assisting Children with Problematic Sexual Behaviours

Saffron Centre has been providing sexual violence support services to the communities we serve since 2000. We are now offering the TRAILS counselling program for children aged 4 to 11 who demonstrate problematic sexual behaviour.

What is problematic sexual behaviour in children?

In 2023, The Association for the Treatment & Prevention of Sexual Abuse released an update to their 2006 Report of the ATSA Task Force on Children with Sexual Behaviour Problems. The 2023 publication, Children with Sexual Behaviour Problems (2nd Edition), defines problematic sexual behaviour in children as follows:

“Children with sexual behaviour problems are defined as those aged 12 and younger who initiate sexualized behaviours that are developmentally inappropriate or potentially harmful to themselves or others.”

Children accepted into the TRAILS program can expect to engage in a warm and nonjudgemental environment and they may participate in play, sand tray, art, animal-assisted and various talk therapeutic mediums. The child will learn about emotional identification and regulation, healthy boundaries, early warning signs of acting out, impulse control strategies and how to keep themselves and others safe in the community. Due to the early developmental stages of children in our program (ages 4-11), caregivers are required to engage in consultations and education with the child’s counsellor. To support successful outcomes, caregivers should be prepared to commit time and energy practicing pre-identified strategies with the child between sessions.

The TRAILS program prevents potential future harm and brings healing and hope to families and communities who are affected by problematic sexual behaviour. Saffron Centre is also offering individual counselling services for families impacted by this issue.

Why the name TRAILS?

Saffron Centre chose the name TRAILS for our problematic sexual behaviour counselling program to reflect the inherent values of our program: Trust, Responsibility, Autonomy, Integrity, Lasting Change, and Self-Acceptance. Each value represents a critical part of the healing journey for the children and caregivers in our program. TRAILS also emphasizes a visual element; it is reminiscent of exploration, direction, and finding a pathway forward.

Program Eligibility:

1. The child demonstrating problematic sexual behaviour must be at least 4 and under 12 years old.
2. The child’s sexual behaviour must meet the ATSA’s description of what is considered problematic. Our intake workers can assist caregivers to discern this. The child must have demonstrated problematic sexual behaviour within the last 6 months.
3. Caregiver involvement is a requirement for this program. The caregiver does not need to be a legal guardian, but they must be a consistent adult in the child’s life who acts as a caregiver for the child.
4. Consent by all legal guardians is a prerequisite. For more complex circumstances surrounding guardianship, please phone Saffron Centre.

FAQs for the TRAILS Program

How does a child get into the TRAILS program?

Caregivers can self-refer by calling or emailing the Saffron Centre or community partners can send a warm referral form. After a quick phone registration, one or two caregivers will complete an intake appointment. The purpose of this intake is to provide clarity about the program, ensure eligibility is met, and to gather relevant information for the clinical team. The clinical team then meets to determine whether TRAILS is the best fit for the child. The child will either be accepted into the TRAILS program, or the family will be provided with referrals to other available resources.

Is there a program cost?

Saffron Centre is committed to providing accessible and affordable counselling services. Our counselling program operates on a sliding fee structure based on household income. We understand the importance of making our services available to everyone to heal from sexual violence, which is why we offer discounted rates to ensure the affordability of our programming. Our dedicated client care team is here to work with clients, ensuring they can benefit from our counselling programs regardless of their financial circumstances.

Where can I get more information about this population?

For community partners and caregivers who are interested in learning more about problematic sexual behaviours in children, Saffron is developing an online course that will be available in the Fall of 2024. This online course will be short, self-paced and module-based. It includes education on common myths surrounding problematic sexual behaviour in children, the degree to which a behaviour is a concern, common risk and protective factors, and where caregivers can find immediate resources.

Can Saffron assist the child who has sexually acted out and the person who was harmed by the behaviour at the same time?

Sometimes children with problematic behaviours hurt others in their community or home. Saffron continues to provide specialized counselling for people over the age of 4 who have experienced sexual violence.

Does TRAILS provide risk assessments?

TRAILS does not assess the likelihood that a child will demonstrate harmful behaviour again in the future. Rather, our preventative approach focuses on identifying and implementing strategies to increase the child’s protective factors and decrease their risk factors to harm themselves or others.

For any questions regarding the TRAILS Program, please contact Saffron Centre directly by phone at (780) 449-0900.

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