When we think about who's responsible for sexual abuse in Australia, we usually picture adults.

But young people are responsible for a substantial proportion of sexual offences nationwide. Up to a third of all child sexual abuse is perpetrated by people under 18. So too are a quarter of sexual assaults against both teens and adults.

New research shows there are effective treatment options for perpetrators under the age of 18 to help prevent them offending again in future.

Our study found young people who received specialist forensic treatment were up to 90% less likely to sexually reoffend, compared with similar peers who did not receive the service.

The findings suggest more children can be protected from the harms of sexual abuse by preventing repeat offending. It also shows many young people who commit these crimes can be safely treated in the community.

In our paper, published in the Journal of Criminal Justice, we evaluated administrative data from more than 1,400 young people who were processed for sexual offences, such as indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault, in Queensland between 2010 and 2024.

We securely accessed more than a decade of anonymised youth justice records and applied advanced statistical techniques across treatment and control groups.

Across five separate statistical approaches, the findings were consistent. Griffith Youth Forensic Service treatment significantly reduced reoffending across different categories of offending, and most importantly, sexual offences.

Key findings showed a 78-90% reduction in sexual reoffending, a 34-44% reduction in overall offending, and additional reductions in violent and non-violent offending.

The treatment group also showed longer follow-up periods without offending. This indicates not just fewer offences, but sustained behavioural change.

The study is among the most scientifically rigorous to look into this issue, which is often hard to research due to the sensitivity of the subject and lack of high-quality data.

The Griffith Youth Forensic Service has operated in Queensland since 2001. It delivers specialised assessment and treatment for young people aged 10-17 who have been sentenced for sexual offences.

Supported by a partnership between the Department of Youth Justice and Victim Support and Griffith University, the service runs statewide, often in remote or under-resourced communities, and prioritises high-risk cases.

Clinicians at the service use trauma-informed, evidence-based methods. But what makes the service unique is its individualised approach. Each young person is treated in the context of their family, school, peer group and community.

Two young people referred to treatment for sexually abusive behaviour may present with very different life histories and contributing factors. They therefore require tailored intervention approaches.

The goal is to address the underlying drivers of offending, not just to manage behaviour.

The service also helps produce research aimed at improving policy and frontline responses to youth sexual offending.

Sexually harmful and abusive behaviours often occur in the context of trauma, family dysfunction or developmental disruption, and do not always continue into adulthood.

But without intervention, some young people go on to reoffend. The consequences for victims and communities can be devastating.

This study offers evidence that specialist, community-based treatment can help break that cycle.

And because the treatment model also appears to reduce general reoffending, its benefits likely extend beyond preventing sexual harm to preventing other types of harm too.

It's a flow-on effect: this treatment is promoting safer outcomes across the board.

The study comes at a time of growing public concern about youth crime, and growing interest in solutions that go beyond punishment.

In Queensland, where this research was done, "adult time for adult crime" laws trying to drive down the rate of youth offending featured prominently in the 2024 election campaign.

The measures have been roundly criticised, including by the United Nations.

This research shows properly resourced rehabilitative strategies can be highly effective in reducing youth offending, often more so than punishment.

Other studies also show community-based ways to deal with the problem, albeit not looking at sexual offending specifically.

We know mental health support is hugely helpful for reducing recidivism through keeping children out of a cycle of incarceration.

There have also been studies of preschool programs that suggest specific types of early childhood education can prevent children going on to commit crimes.

The particular focus of our study, the Griffith Youth Forensic Service, is only in Queensland, but the findings are relevant for other jurisdictions.

In New South Wales, New Street Services provide therapeutic interventions across the state for adolescents aged 10-17 who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour.

Importantly, specialised services aren't available in all states, and very few include the same built-in research and evaluation components as the Griffith Youth Forensic Service.

The results of our study support continued national investment in:

specialist, evidence-based programs tailored to young people

community-based and trauma-informed approaches

improving service accessibility, especially in remote or underserved areas.

The study also highlights the importance of rigorous evaluation in guiding youth justice and broader government policy and funding decisions.

This service works, and now we have data to prove it.