How can I tell what is PSB-CY and what is not?

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While difficult to define in an absolute sense, there are guidelines for the Army to consider when a potential PSB incident has been reported. The behavior may be classified as (1) normative (i.e., not out of the ordinary given children’s age and development), (2) cautionary (unsuitable for the child or youth’s age or situation, and (3) problematic (out of bounds in terms of harm or emotional effects upon others).

The National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth has developed these guidelines to help distinguish between three possible descriptions of child and youth sexual behavior: normative, cautionary, and problematic.

Normative	Voluntary, infrequent, spontaneous Easily diverted when adults tell children to stop and explain privacy rules Interaction that involves sexual body parts between children of the same general age and physical size Occurs among children who know each other Not accompanied by strong uncomfortable or upset feelings
Cautionary	Not suitable for the location (e.g., school, faith community) Normative behavior, but more frequent than typical for the child’s age Not currently harmful or distressing to self or others Occurs despite adult intervention Typical sexual behavior, but technology is involved, such as taking pictures of private parts
Problematic	Causes harm or potential harm or distress to any child Involves strong, upset feelings, such as anger or anxiety Occurs among children of different ages or functioning Continues to occur despite intervention by caregivers or other guiding adults Preoccupied with sexual content and topics

These guidelines are not inclusive of all possible behaviors in the three categories. Other behaviors can be considered and added to lists of possible behaviors, circumstances, mitigating factors such as developmental, situational, geographic, and other considerations affecting the child and family.