Grooming - meaning and definition
Alsosexual groomingonline groominggroomerchild grooming
Definition
Grooming is the process by which someone builds trust and emotional connection with a child, young person or vulnerable adult in order to manipulate, exploit or abuse them.
At a glance
- Building trust with a child, young person or vulnerable adult in order to exploit or abuse them.
- It often develops gradually through attention, gifts, secrecy and isolation.
- It happens both in person and online.
- The person grooming may also try to win the trust of parents or carers.
- Because it feels like friendship, the person being groomed may not recognise it.
In detail
Grooming often develops gradually. It can involve special attention, gifts, secrecy, flattery, isolating the person from others, and slowly testing boundaries. It happens in person and online, and the person grooming may also try to win the trust of parents or carers.
Because grooming is designed to feel like a friendship or relationship, the person being groomed may not recognise it. Trusted adults, schools and child protection services can help, and online platforms usually provide ways to report concerning contact.
In a sentence
- The school's online safety talk explained how grooming often starts with flattery and secrets.
- Asking a child to keep messages secret from their parents is a common grooming warning sign.
Common questions
What are the warning signs of grooming?
Special attention or gifts, requests to keep things secret, attempts to isolate a young person from friends or family, and gradually pushing boundaries are common signs. Online, an adult moving a conversation to a private app can also be a red flag.
Where can I report concerns about grooming?
Trusted adults, schools, child protection services and the police can help. Online platforms usually have ways to report concerning contact. If a child is in immediate danger, call your local emergency number.