Title: Understanding Sexual Grooming in Child Abuse Cases
Headings: Understanding Sexual Grooming in Child Abuse Cases
Understanding Sexual Grooming in Child Abuse Cases
Sexual Grooming
Key elements
Where it occurs
Definition
Grooming behaviors
Protecting Victims from Sexual Grooming
Federal Enticement Statute
State Enticement Statutes
Expert Testimony
Grooming Evidence
Advocacy and Training
Conclusion

Content: These individuals intentionally build relationships with the adults around a child or seek out a child who is less supervised by adults in her/his life. This increases the likelihood that the offender’s time with the child is welcomed and encouraged. The purpose of grooming is: to manipulate the perceptions of other adults around the child. to manipulate the child into becoming a co-operating participant which reduces the likelihood of a disclosure and increases the likelihood that the child will repeatedly return to the offender. to reduce the likelihood of the child being believed if they do disclose. to reduce the likelihood of the abuse being detected. 8
Grooming behaviors
Key to understanding the concept of sexual grooming is recognizing common behaviors that predators use while grooming victims for sexual abuse. Common sexual grooming behaviors are often subtle and may not appear inappropriate. These behaviors include: