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Grooming
In a Nutshell

On this page you will find information about 'grooming', what it is and how it works. This page will also give you links to the NSPCC who can provide so much more important information and services that help you and your young person when you suspect there is a situation of grooming happening.

Not every friendship is grooming but if your young person has older friends, this should be a concern.

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The NSPCC website offers all the information you will need when it comes to Grooming. 

The NSPCC is the nations leading charity when it comes to protecting and safeguarding children and young people.

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Click on the links below to go straight to their resources and training pages

Grooming

Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships

Sexual Behaviours in Children

Online Safety Course

Online Safety Virtual Workshop

Teaching your Young Person about Online Safety

Our Features

What you need to know...

What is Grooming?

Grooming is a process that involves a person (usually an adult) building a relationship with a child or young person, gaining their trust and a position of power and control over the child or young person in preparation for exploitation or abuse.

Why are Children and Young People Groomed?

The short answer? Grooming is used to prepare children and young people for sexual abuse and exploitation, radicalisation or criminal exploitation.

The Child or Young Person 

  • May not know they are being groomed

  • Believe that they are in a caring and loving relationship, all they will understand is that they are being cared for and cared about. A young person may not want to jeopardise this relationship.

  • Be scared of what will happen if they speak out, some groomers may be threatening and may threaten a child or young one with violence against them or their loved ones.

  • Not want to get their new ‘friend’ in trouble, it may have been explained to the child or young person that their ‘friendship’ is a secret.

  • Blame themselves for getting involved with a stranger or may fear that they will be punished by their parents, care giver or guardian.

  • Feel ashamed for what has happened or what is happening

Where Can Grooming Happen?

Grooming can happen anywhere, it is not restricted to one place or another. It can happen in person and on the internet. The groomer can be anyone with access to the child or young person, this could be a family member, family friend, teacher, a professional or a stranger on the street. Children and young people can be target online too via social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, twitter and online computer games. Wherever there is an option to message, comment or speak to each other directly, there is risk. It isn’t always an adult who is doing the groomer, other young people can also groom other children and young people.

Signs of Grooming

Children and young people may not come to you and tell you that they are being groomed or that there is a problem. As a parent or care giver of a child or a young person it is your responsibility to keep your child or young person safe. Noticing the signs and acting may save your child or young person from severe harm and trauma. Signs can include;

  • Changes in behaviour and emotional well-being

  • Spending more or less time online. If a child or young person is spending more and more time online and is hiding their activity or protective over their phones, computers or devices. A child or young person may have suddenly reduced their online usage and may appear frightened, nervous or worried using their phone, computer or devices.

  • Disappearing for extended amounts of time and not telling you where they are going or who they are seeing. This could be during school hours or out of school hours.

  • Being secretive about their friendships, who they spend time with, this includes while being online.

  • Receiving unexplained gifts.

  • Using illegal substance and drinking alcohol.

  • Sexual health problems such as sexually transmitted infections.

  • Using language that they wouldn’t usually use or language that they should not know or understand such as sexual language.

  • Having friendships with older people.

  • Appearing sad, upset, down, withdrawn, distant, fearful.

  • Developing poor mental health and developing mental health problems

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