Grooming and child sexual exploitation
Grooming is gradually gaining a child's trust, through gifts, attention or sometimes threats, so the child can be sexually exploited by someone who takes advantage of an imbalance of power.
Remember
Grooming gradually builds a child's trust through gifts, attention or sometimes threats to prepare them for sexual exploitation, and a child is still a victim even after receiving gifts or appearing to agree.
When an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power (through age, status or control over what the child wants) to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child under 18 into sexual activity, for example in exchange for something the child wants, such as gifts, money, status or perceived affection, the child is being sexually exploited. The person responsible can be an adult or another child, and can be an individual or a group.
Exploitation commonly begins with grooming: an abuser gradually gains a child's trust with gifts, attention or sometimes threats, so that the child can be sexually exploited. The child can come to see the relationship as normal, special or even loving, and so a child often does not see themselves as a victim.
Grooming can happen in person or online, and in online grooming adults often disguise themselves as children of the same age as the victim. Often, once an abuser has images, they can blackmail the child, which is a way of threatening them, into other activities against their will.
Some children are given rewards in exchange for sexual activity, such as money, drugs or alcohol, or status, protection or perceived love or affection, and a child who receives something is no less of a victim. National guidance counts grooming as sexual abuse, and physical contact is not needed.
If you suspect grooming or exploitation, listen to the child in private, explain when information may need to be shared, and seek safeguarding advice about referral. You do not wait for physical harm, or for the child to be certain that it is abuse.
Key facts
- Grooming
- gradually building a child's trust, through gifts, attention or sometimes threats, to prepare them for sexual exploitation.
- Physical contact
- not required, because grooming is a non-contact form of abuse.
- Rewards
- money, drugs or alcohol, or status, protection or perceived love or affection; a child who receives something is no less of a victim.
- Possible signs
- these include, but are not limited to, a dramatic change in mood or character, being secretive, alcohol or drug misuse, being frightened of particular people or places, or having unexplained new things or money.
- Who is responsible
- an adult or a child, and an individual or a group.
- Response
- listen in private, explain when information may need to be shared, and seek safeguarding advice about referral.
Exam traps
- Waiting to confirm that a child has met an adult contacted online before referring treats online contact as lesser, but exploitation does not need a physical meeting.
- Grooming is not a single act of contact abuse. It is the preparation that comes beforehand, and it needs no physical contact.
- Force and threats can feature, especially once control is established, but exploitation does not usually begin that way: it more often builds up gradually through gifts and attention.
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