Sexually Reactive Youth

YOP (Youthful Offender Program)

Y.O.P. (Youthful Offender Program) focuses on early intervention with youth who display disruptive and aggressive sexual behaviors. Our emphasis is on relapse prevention - teaching clients internal self-management skills and how to recognize and interrupt the chain of events leading to re-offending, using a framework of behavioral, cognitive, educational and skill training approaches.

We make the assumption that there is a part of the client what wants to change, and we invite them to “resign from a lifestyle of sexual violence.” Desert View staff will evaluate and make treatment recommendations for sexualized boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 17 who display disruptive sexual behaviors at home, school and/or socially; causing self-harm through compulsive sexual behaviors; or exhibit sexual preoccupation.

Studies show that less than 15% of treated juvenile sex offenders will re offend with the proper treatment.

Age Appropriate or Developmentally Expected Sexual Behavior

Desert View provides prevention and education to young male students who are showing signs of aggressive sexual behaviors to include a form of bullying, dry humping, exposing themselves in the bathrooms and inappropriate touching and pinching. The information below shows some examples of common sexual behavior that we might anticipate seeing in our children as they pass through different stages of development from pre-school to adolescence. Remember that each child develops at his or her own pace. Not every child will show all these behaviors at the same stages, or necessarily experience any of these behaviors at all. The chart also describes kinds of behavior that are less common in a given developmental stage, and which may give cause for concern. 

Preschool Age (0 to 5 yrs.)

Common: Sexual language relating to differences in body parts, bathroom talk, pregnancy and birth. Masturbation at home and in public. Showing and looking at private body parts.

Uncommon: Discussion of specific sexual acts or explicit sexual language. Adult-like sexual contact with other children.

School Age (6-12 years)

This group may include both pre-pubescent children and children who have already entered puberty, when hormonal changes are likely to trigger an increase in sexual awareness and interest. 

Pre-pubescent children

Common: Questions about relationships and sexual behavior, menstruation and pregnancy. Experimentation with same-age children, often during games, kissing, touching, exhibitionism and role-playing. Masturbation in private.

Uncommon: Adult-like sexual interactions, discussing specific sexual acts, masturbating in public.

After Puberty Begins

Common: Increased curiosity about sexual materials and information, questions about relationships and sexual behavior, using sexual words and discussing sexual acts, particularly with peers. Increased experimenting including open-mouthed kissing, body-rubbing, fondling. Masturbating in private.

Uncommon: Regular adult-like sexual behavior, including oral/genital contact and intercourse; masturbating in public.

Adolescence (13 - 16)

Common: Questions about decision making, social relationships, and sexual customs; masturbation in private; experimenting between adolescents of the same age, including open-mouthed kissing, fondling and body rubbing, oral/genital contact. Voyeuristic behaviors are common in this age group. Intercourse occurs among approximately one third of children in this age group.

Uncommon: Masturbating in public. Sexual interest directed toward much younger children.