Kogan Counseling has extensive experience in recognizing the complexities of grooming and supporting victims through both individual and group therapy.
Helping Victims of Grooming
Our approach helps survivors understand that the abuse was never their fault, as grooming manipulates victims into believing they were active participants in their own victimization. Through a compassionate and trauma-informed process, we empower individuals to reclaim their sense of self, process their experiences, and work toward healing in a safe and supportive environment.
Definition
What is Grooming?
Grooming is a gradual, calculated process by which a sex offender draws a victim into a sexual relationship and maintains that relationship in secrecy. The grooming process involves many steps including: targeting the victim, gaining their trust, filling a need the victim has, making their relationship unique, isolating the victim from others, and eventually sexualizing the relationship. It’s estimated that up to 40% of child sexual predators use grooming behaviors. And some studies suggest that teenagers are the age group most vulnerable to online grooming. Teens whose parents aren’t very involved in their internet use and those who have a history of taking risks online are most at risk.
Predators are not who most people think they are. They are often charming, friendly, helpful, and available. They use these traits to disarm not only potential victims but their families and communities as well.
Creating a positive image helps predators groom children. They do this to make the abuse less likely to be discovered. This positive image also makes it less likely that other adults will believe the victim if they report abuse.
Signs of Grooming Behavior
Grooming behaviors can be difficult to spot. That is because they can sometimes look like normal interactions. For example, giving a child gifts may be normal for someone close to the family. Still, it’s important to know the possible signs.
Typical signs of grooming are:
- Going above and beyond to be overly helpful to a child or family
- Showing special attention or interest in a child or vulnerable adult
- Giving gifts to a child or their family
- Attempting to have regular one-on-one time with a child
- Displaying overly affectionate behavior like hugging or tickling
- Telling the child secrets to make them feel special
- Discussing inappropriate topics
