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Sexual Behaviours Traffic Lights

A framework to identify, understand and respond to sexual behaviours in children and young people up to 18 years old.

Brook is the only UK provider of Traffic Lights®

Curiosity about bodies and sex is a normal part of development. However, some sexual behaviours can be a sign of abuse or CSE (Child Sexual Exploitation). Brook’s training can help you know the difference.

Already enrolled? Log in to the e-learning platform

This course is CPD certified

Updated April 2026

We’ve launched the updated Traffic Lights® which offers more guidance about responding to sexual behaviours and supports you to understand a broader range of behaviours, including digital ones.

If you previously enrolled in our e-learning, you will be able to access the new version for the remainder of your access period.

To support professionals who have trained historically on our tool, we have created a condensed refresher training to bring your staff up to speed in just 60 minutes.

Traffic Lights supports you to:

  • Identify behaviour and establish if sexual behaviour is typical or developmentally appropriate, problematic or harmful.  
  • Understand what that behaviour is communicating and why the child or young person may be exhibiting the behaviour.  
  • Respond appropriately, considering how the type of response will depend on what’s motivating the behaviour, what the behaviour is communicating and the severity of the behaviour. 

What do the colours of the traffic lights® framework mean?

Sexual behaviours are categorised as green, orange or red light and are broken down by age group.

The framework will help you identify whether behaviours such as kissing, touching genitals, masturbating, lifting another child’s skirt, drawing sexually explicit artwork are a cause for concern and what you can do.

Green light sexual behaviours are typical and developmentally appropriate.

They are:

  • Spontaneous, curious, light-hearted, easily diverted, enjoyable, mutual and consensual
  • Appropriate to the child’s age and development
  • Activities or play among equals in terms of age, size and ability levels.

These behaviours provide opportunities to talk, explain and provide support.

Orange light sexual behaviours cause concern because of:

  • Persistence, intensity, frequency or duration
  • The type of activity for the age and stage of development
  • Inequality in age, size, power or developmental ability
  • Risk to the health and safety of the child or others

These behaviours should not be ignored and signal the need to monitor and provide targeted support.

Red light sexual behaviours indicate or cause harm because they are:

  • Excessive, compulsive, coercive, forceful, degrading or threatening
  • Secretive, manipulative or involve bribery or trickery
  • Not expected for the age and stage of development
  • Between children or young people with a significant difference in age, developmental ability or power
  • Abusive, aggressive, or intrusive

These behaviours signal the need to provide immediate protection and follow up support.

Traffic Lights Training

Training is required before being able to access the framework to ensure you are equipped to safely and confidently use it. We have various training options including group training, licenses and e-learning.

Learning outcomes

After completing the Traffic Lights® training which is CPD-certified, you will be able to: 

Recognise and identify sexualised behaviours and differentiate between those which are part of healthy sexual development and those which are problematic or harmful. 
Reflect on your own values and understand how they can impact on decision making. 
Demonstrate a common language around developmental and harmful sexual behaviours. 
Understand what a behaviour may be communicating and why the child or young person may be exhibiting the behaviour. 
Appropriately respond to sexualised behaviours, considering possible motivations, communications and severity. 

97% of people who have been trained on the framework are more confident as a result of the training and developed useful skills for their practice. 

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reviews

95% of learners rate their overall experience as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. 

95% of Traffic Light Tool users rate it as 'good' or 'very good'

Training options

We offer many different training options, whether you want to train when it suits you or license the framework to upskill your entire organisation. Once you’ve completed the training you’ll get access to the Traffic Lights®. framework.

Online course – £35

Complete the training at your own pace and in your own time on our online learning platform. Once the training is complete, you’ll be able to access the framework.

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Already enrolled? Log in to Brook Learn

Group training

Prefer to learn alongside other professionals? Book a space on our online group training sessions.

Looking to train more than one staff member? Organise a group session with one of our experts.

Training dates

Training your organisation

Looking to train your whole organisation? Through our licenses and our Train the Trainer model, larger numbers of professionals can be quickly trained.

Browse our cost-effective methods

Why choose Brook

Brook is the only UK provider of Traffic Lights®. The original Traffic Lights® is owned by the Australian organisation True Relationships & Reproductive Health. We worked with professionals and young people for its use in the UK and have been trained thousands of people with over 95% approval rates.

With five decades worth of experience working with young people and in safeguarding, you can be sure you’ll come away with a comprehensive, informed understanding of appropriate and harmful sexual behaviour in children and young people.

Find out more about Brook’s approach

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