Title: Grooming for Abuse
Headings: Grooming
Grooming
Content: Then the primary aggressor starts touching the survivor, say on the leg, excusing it as a demonstration on how to move athletically, until touch seems normal. Touch is moved perhaps on the buttocks, and excused as advanced training, and this type of touch starts to seem normal. Then the primary aggressor takes the survivor to his apartment "just to pick something up" but while there, the primary aggressor decides to take a shower. This makes being alone in the primary aggressor's apartment with showering going on seem okay. The primary aggressor may make an appearance in a robe....
It is not hard for the reader to add steps to this chain described above. Eventually, the primary aggressor's intentions become clear to the survival, but by that time, there is considerable ensnarement. The survivor may also be disarmed by being told inappropriate things are part of of a 'game', 'test,' 'project, 'or 'favor,' which suspends some self-protective reflexes and reactions. Often, the first violations are boundary issues but not physical violations. The abusive activity might consist in describing a fantasy, or telling a story supposedly about what someone else has done. If there is a negative reaction, the primary aggressor can shift gears and deny he has the same interest or even feign disapproval.