Sexual grooming of children: Review of literature and theoretical considerations

Abstract

The current review aims to outline the existing understanding of sexual grooming. Issues of poor definition, the adoption of the term ''grooming'' and the prevalence of sexual grooming will be discussed. Consideration will be given to how prominent theories of child sexual abuse often neglect sexual grooming. This will be followed by a detailed account of the existing knowledge within the literature. Three types of sexual grooming were thus identified: self-grooming, grooming the environment and significant others and grooming the child. Based on these findings, a new definition of sexual grooming is suggested. Furthermore, the findings correspond well with current models of the sexual offence process. A more comprehensive understanding of sexual grooming is required to facilitate a preventative approach to child protection.

“Under His Spell”: Victims’ Perspectives of Being Groomed Online

“…This study cannot make inferences about the prevalence of online grooming, but while recent US research suggests that online sexual solicitations are in fact decreasing [26] and most forms of harassment online actually come from peers [27], the current study highlights that online grooming by adults remains an issue requiring greater understanding. Existing literature recognizes grooming others can be a phase within the grooming process [7,20,28], and this is apparent through many of the victims' experiences within this study. This study suggests that any phase within grooming (e.g., sexualisation) can occur extremely quickly and is likely to vary.…”

“…The concept of OPEN ACCESS "Under His Spell": Victims' Perspectives of Being grooming was first addressed by UK legislation within Section 15 of the Sexual Offences Act (2003) and this legislative advancement enabled the prosecution of individuals who take preparatory steps towards abusing a child [6]. Following a review, Craven, Brown and Gilchrist ( [7], p. 297) proposed that grooming is: "A process by which a person prepares a child, significant adults and the environment for the abuse of this child. Specific goals include gaining access to the child, gaining the child's compliance and maintaining the child's secrecy to avoid disclosure.…”

“…Manipulation techniques utilized during the grooming process can vary considerably [1] and are likely to incorporate both physical and psychological grooming to sexualize the child [7,15]. The process often involves one or several of the following tactics: flattery, blackmail, threats, sexualized games, deception or bribery [4,[16][17][18].…”

Μορφές Διαδικτυακής Παρενόχλησης (Διαδικτυακή Αποπλάνηση Και Παιδική Πορνογραφία): Προτάσεις Αντιμετώπισης

“…Ως διαδικτυακή αποπλάνηση, ή διεθνώς grooming, εννοούμε την προσπάθεια του ενήλικα να αποπλανήσει τον ανήλικο χρήστη του διαδικτύου, εφόσον πρώτα έχει φροντίσει να δημιουργήσει μια σχέση εμπιστοσύνης, εχεμύθειας και μυστικότητας, προκειμένου να μην αποκαλύψει σε κανένα την αλήθεια (Craven, Brown, & Gilchrist, 2006). Ενώ παραδοσιακά ένας παιδόφιλος πλησίαζε το παιδί σε ένα οικείο ή φιλικό για αυτό χώρο, αντίθετα στην περίπτωση της διαδικτυακής αποπλάνησης, το περιβάλλον αυτό είναι ο κυβερνοχώρος, ενώ κάποιοι ερευνητές κρίνουν ότι ο κυβερνοχώρος μπορεί να αποτελεί τον «προθάλαμο» για την αποπλάνησή του (Schell, Martin, Hung, & Rueda, 2006).…”

Do Children still need to Escape Childhood?

“…Here, he makes the argument that 'all people, including young people, This again renders his argument problematic, not least in negating the risks of child sex exploitation and abuse, and the very subtle ways in which this can manifest, including for young people in vulnerable groups (Berelowitz et al, 2012;CEOP 2011;Craven et al 2006). Holt does make a critical point here which is unfortunately drowned out by the overall tone of the chapter -the importance of educating young people about sex and contraception.…”