Glossary of terms

Plain-English explanations of some of the clinical, legal and support terms you might come across, whether you're reaching out for yourself or referring someone else.

Paraphilia

A general clinical term for a pattern of sexual interest, thought or arousal that falls outside what's considered typical. Having a paraphilic thought does not, on its own, mean someone has acted or will act on it.

Intrusive thoughts

Unwanted thoughts, images or urges that appear in the mind uninvited and cause distress. They are common and do not necessarily reflect a person's values or intentions.

Compulsive sexual behaviour

A pattern of sexual thoughts or behaviour that feels difficult to control and causes distress or problems in someone's life, sometimes also referred to as sexual compulsivity or hypersexuality.

Disclosure

The act of telling someone, such as a partner, family member or authority, about a thought, behaviour or offence. Disclosures can be planned and supported in therapy, or required by law in certain circumstances.

Safeguarding

The steps taken by professionals and organisations to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm, including reporting concerns to the appropriate authority when there's a risk.

Risk assessment

A structured evaluation of the likelihood that someone may cause harm, used to inform safety planning, therapy and, where relevant, criminal justice decisions.

Non-offending partner

The partner of someone who has offended, or is alleged or suspected to have offended, who has not themselves committed an offence. Non-offending partners often need their own support.

Secondary victim

A family member, particularly a child, who is affected by the impact of an offence or allegation even though they were not the direct victim of it.

Mitigation letter

A letter, usually prepared for a defendant's solicitor, describing their engagement in therapy, insight and progress, for use in supporting a plea for a more proportionate sentence.

Pre-sentence report

A report prepared by the Probation Service for the court before sentencing, assessing risk and making recommendations.

MAPPA

Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements: the framework through which police, probation and other agencies work together in England and Wales to manage the risk posed by certain offenders in the community.

SHPO

Sexual Harm Prevention Order: a civil order that can restrict a person's activities or behaviour to prevent sexual harm to the public, imposed by a court.

Sex Offenders Register

The system under which certain individuals convicted or cautioned for a sexual offence must notify the police of personal details, for a set period or indefinitely depending on the offence.

CSAM

Child sexual abuse material. Viewing, possessing or distributing this material is a serious criminal offence in the UK.

Indecent images of children

The standard legal and policing term for sexual images or videos of anyone under 18. Making, possessing or distributing them is a serious criminal offence in the UK, and is treated in law the same way regardless of whether the images were viewed, saved, or shared.

Sexual communication with a child

A criminal offence involving sexual messages, requests or conversation with someone under 16, including online. Often referred to informally as grooming.

Voyeurism

A criminal offence involving observing or recording someone doing a private act without their consent, for sexual gratification.

Indecent exposure

A criminal offence involving intentionally exposing genitals, intending that someone will see them and be caused alarm or distress.

Upskirting

Taking a photo or video up someone's skirt or clothing without their consent. Made a specific criminal offence by the Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019, which added it to the Sexual Offences Act 2003 as a form of voyeurism.

DBS barred list

A list maintained by the Disclosure and Barring Service of people prohibited from working with children or vulnerable adults. Some offences lead to automatic inclusion; others are assessed case by case.

Regulated activity

Work that involves close, regular contact with children or vulnerable adults, such as teaching, healthcare or social care, which legally requires an Enhanced DBS check including a barred list check.

Fitness to practise

The process by which a professional regulator, such as the GMC, NMC, or Social Work England, assesses whether someone registered with them is safe and suitable to continue practising. Separate from both DBS barring and any criminal case.

Diversion scheme

A programme, sometimes offered by police forces, that allows some individuals identified as viewing indecent images to access education and support outside of formal criminal proceedings, depending on the circumstances.

Psychosexual therapy

Therapy focused specifically on sexual thoughts, feelings, behaviours and relationships.

Clinical supervision

Regular, confidential professional discussion between a therapist and a more experienced supervisor about their client work, required as part of ethical practice. Client identities are protected in supervision.

BACP

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, a professional body that accredits counsellors and psychotherapists and sets ethical standards for the profession.