A consultation paper released this week has indicated investment in therapeutic services is needed, regardless of whether or not these young people are subject to specific orders or detention.

It said the Royal Commission into institutional child sexual abuse found there was no overarching framework to identify, respond to, or prevent problematic sexual behaviour among young people.

The paper said it was difficult to know the extent of such behaviour due to limited research and underreporting by victims.

It said the issue was compounded by insufficient service resourcing and a convoluted referral pathway - or in some cases, no pathway.

A 2017 review of police statistics by the Australian Institute of Family Studies estimated 30 to 60 per cent of childhood sexual abuse was carried out by children and young people.

There is only one non-government organisation in Tasmania to provide a therapeutic behavioural change program to children with problem sexual behaviours up to the age of 11 years.

Children aged between 12 and 17 years can access the service for a fee.

"Accessing a specialist private provider, which can be costly and dependent up on availability, is currently the only other option available to children and their families," the paper said.

The paper is available on the Communities Tasmania website.

The department will accept submissions until December 22.