Grooming for sexual abuse can be a long, stealthy game. Groomers will usually take their time to build a relationship with their victims in person or online, gain power over them, and trick or coerce them into sexual contact. 

Understanding grooming dynamics and recognizing grooming behavior are the first steps in protecting against grooming tactics. If you believe you or your child has fallen prey to a groomer, seek help and consult with a sexual abuse lawyer. 

What Is Grooming?

Grooming is the act of building a relationship of emotional connection and trust to manipulate, abuse, or exploit a person. It can happen in various settings, like school, church, or the workplace, as well as online. 

The sexual groomer will work hard to become important to the victim and isolate them emotionally — for example, by manipulating them into thinking the groomer is the only one who understands or supports them. From that point, the groomer will gradually initiate sexual activities and pressure or intimidate the victim to keep the relationship secret.

Grooming can also happen outside the context of sexual abuse. Many groomers focus on financial manipulation, like tricking the victim into giving them money. 

Who Can Experience Grooming?

Groomers typically target children and teenagers, but sexual grooming may also happen to vulnerable adults. What characterizes the dynamics of grooming is a power imbalance. Often, the groomer will be an employer, a pastor, a spiritual or political leader, or someone else in a position of authority. 

Recognizing Grooming

Preventing grooming in relationships is easier when you can spot certain patterns. Many groomers are so skilled that you’ll only recognize signs of their manipulation in retrospect. 

The person you’re in contact with may be sexually grooming you if:

• The connection develops extremely quickly, with them showing an intense and often inappropriate interest in you
• They message or call you all the time
• They go overboard to meet your needs so that you start to rely on them
• They try to create situations in which you spend time alone
• They start with “innocent” touching that gradually escalates to sexual contact

Grooming for sexual abuse can also happen to your child. If you notice your child has become withdrawn, emotional, or secretive, if they suddenly spend a lot of time online, or if they talk about a new “friend” but it isn’t clear who this friend is, try to find out what’s going on and be ready to report the potential predator. 

Is Grooming a Criminal Offense?

While the law doesn’t see grooming in and of itself as a transgression, groomers often progress to criminal sexual acts. Since grooming can be a legal gray area, you could consult a sexual abuse lawyer to learn how the law protects you and whether you have grounds to file a lawsuit against the groomer.

When in doubt, calling a helpline is a safe place to start. The helpline counselors will guide you through reporting suspected grooming cases and let you know how to shield yourself and others from sexual coercion.

Do You Suspect Someone Is Grooming You? Call The Cifarelli Law Firm

If you believe you’ve recognized grooming for sexual abuse, take urgent steps to protect yourself or your child. Report the potential groomer to your local law enforcement agency and call us at The Cifarelli Law Firm. Our dedicated, sensitive legal team can determine whether you’ve fallen victim to a sexual crime and explain your options for seeking compensation.

Call (949) 409 6324 for a free consultation with a sexual abuse lawyer in Irvine, CA.