Grooming is a type of manipulation that can be used to exploit, abuse, or harm someone, especially a child or young person.
Grooming can happen online or in person, and it can be difficult to spot and can take place over a long period of time. It’s a process that an abuser uses to gain the trust and confidence of a victim, making them more vulnerable to exploitation or abuse.
Groomers often use a variety of tactics to build trust with their victims, which can include:
- Pretending to be someone they’re not: they may create fake online profiles or pretend to be younger than they are to gain their victims’ trust.
- Giving gifts or attention: they may shower their victims with gifts, attention, or compliments in order to make them feel special.
- Creating a sense of secrecy: they may encourage their victims to keep their relationship a secret, making them feel like they’re special or unique.
- Isolating victims from their friends and family: they may try to isolate their victims to make them more dependent on them.
What are the signs of grooming?
It can be difficult to know for sure if someone is being groomed, but there are some signs that you might notice:
- A change in your friend’s behaviour: Your friend may start to act secretive or withdrawn, or they may suddenly change their online or social activities.
- A change in your friend’s personality: Your friend may seem more anxious or depressed, or they may start to make risky or unsafe decisions.
- Red flags online: If your friend is talking to someone online who is significantly older than them, or if they are sending or receiving inappropriate messages, it’s a good idea to be concerned.
If you think you’re being groomed, it’s important to talk to someone you trust. You can talk to a parent, a friend, a teacher, or a counsellor. Remember, you are not alone. There are people who can help you protect yourself from abuse.
