Research to understand and prevent sexually harmful behaviours
The Sexually Harmful Behaviours Lab conducts rigorous, collaborative research to improve prevention, assessment, and evidence-informed policy and practice.
Our mission
To produce careful, transparent, and impactful research that strengthens prevention, improves assessment, and supports fair and effective responses to sexual harm.
Research with real-world relevance
The SHB Lab is based in Carleton University’s Department of Psychology. We study factors associated with the onset, maintenance, assessment, and prevention of sexually harmful behaviours across offline and digital contexts.
Our work brings together advanced research methods and partnerships with academia, government, corrections, forensic mental health, community organizations, and industry. These collaborations help us address consequential questions using real-world data and translate findings for the people who can use them.
Across the lifespan
We examine development, change, and outcomes over time.
Responsive to change
We study emerging technologies and evolving forms of sexual harm.
Methodologically rigorous
We apply and develop statistical and mixed-method approaches.
Attentive to diversity
We examine subgroups and populations often overlooked in research.
What we study
Our research program spans technology-facilitated sexual harm, risk assessment and change, sexual behaviour within families, developmental pathways, and prevention.
Online sexual offending
Technology-facilitated sexual offending, online solicitation, child sexual abuse material, deterrence, and emerging digital environments.
Risk assessment and change
Risk tools, dynamic risk factors, change over time, measurement, discrimination, calibration, and fair application.
Sexual behaviour within families
Incest, sexual behaviour between siblings, family processes, developmental context, and opportunities for prevention.
Sexting and non-consensual sharing
Sexting, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, attitudes, decision-making, prevention, and digital safety.
Pathways and prevention
Individual, interpersonal, developmental, and situational factors that may contribute to or protect against sexually harmful behaviours.
Find what you need
Prospective students
Learn about graduate, undergraduate, research-assistant, independent-project, and postdoctoral opportunities.
Researchers and practitioners
Access presentations, worksheets, training materials, and selected research resources developed or shared by the lab.
Research participants
See whether the SHB Lab is currently recruiting participants for an online study.
News and lab updates
Read about recent research, media coverage, presentations, awards, and other SHB Lab activities.
Interested in research collaboration?
We welcome conversations with researchers, government agencies, correctional and forensic mental health services, community organizations, and industry partners interested in rigorous and responsible research on sexually harmful behaviours.