Grooming Awareness & Prevention

Protecting children, teenagers, and vulnerable adults from grooming, exploitation, and abuse through education and support.

What is Grooming?

Grooming is when someone builds an emotional connection with a child, teenager, or vulnerable adult to gain their trust for purposes of sexual abuse, exploitation, radicalization, or trafficking. It can happen online or in person.

Warning Signs of Grooming

In Children & Teens:

• Secretive behavior, especially about online activity
• Possessing money, gifts, or new items they can't explain
• Sudden changes in behavior or mood
• Having an older "boyfriend" or "girlfriend"
• Spending more time online or on their phone
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Using sexual language they wouldn't normally use

Groomer's Tactics:

• Offering special attention, gifts, or privileges
• Creating opportunities to be alone
• Gradually introducing sexual content
• Using secrets to create isolation
• Making the victim feel special or loved
• Threatening or blackmailing the victim

Our Protection Programs

• Education Workshops: Age-appropriate sessions for children and parents
• Online Safety: Digital literacy and safe internet use
• Parent Training: How to monitor and protect children
• Reporting Support: Help reporting to authorities
• Victim Support: Counseling and recovery services

Prevention Strategies

• Open communication with children about safety
• Teaching children about appropriate and inappropriate behavior
• Monitoring online activities and social media
• Building children's confidence and self-esteem
• Knowing your children's friends and their families