High exposure to information and communication technologies has made children and adolescents vulnerable to suffering various types of abuse. online. He Grooming It is one of the most frequent types of abuse to which minors are exposed.
Unlike the idea we have that sexual abuse only occurs through contact and physical violence, Grooming It occurs through the Internet and social networks and, generally, the perpetrator is friendly and kind to his victim to gain his trust and to be able to incite the minor to carry out various sexual actions: having conversations about sex, sharing explicit material or having a sexual encounter.
Although sexual violence against children and adolescents has a high prevalence, since in the United States around 30% of women report having been victims of sexual abuse between the ages of 11 and 17, and 19% of men between 11 and 17 years old report having been, the reality is that It’s a topic that isn’t talked about enough..
In the company of Manuela Torres, research director of the # Movement and Melisa Martínez, psychotherapist, María Trusa addressed this topic to provide information and resources around the Grooming and its prevention.
What is Grooming?
They are the subtle methods that an adult uses to gain the trust of parents, caregivers and the minor in order to access them for sexual purposes. It is important to highlight that a minor is not of the age of consent, which is why the Grooming constitutes a violation and a crime.
What are the phases of Grooming?
The phases of Grooming can be different with each child. For example, in some cases the perpetrator may choose to first gain the trust of their parents or caregivers in order to spend time alone with the child. But you can also approach the child or adolescent through gifts of toys or invitations to eat ice cream or candy.
After a first experience, which is pleasant for the minor, it is very likely that the perpetrator will begin to condition such gifts. Once the child agrees to his conditioning, the perpetrator will continue to ask for more things later.
Precisely at this point, It is essential that both children and adolescents receive education so that they know how to set limits and can protect themselves of the sexual offenders who stalk them.
How does it manifest itself? Grooming?
One of the main manifestations of Grooming is the excessive attention of an adult towards a child and this also gives them a privileged place compared to other children in the minor’s environment, whether their siblings, cousins or schoolmates. This makes children feel very comfortable and trusting with their aggressor.
On many occasions, it is also notable that Children spend more time “connected” talking on the Internet and they usually say that they are talking with friends or family. On many occasions, perpetrators pose as people of the same age or very close to that of the victim.
How to identify that a child is being a victim of Grooming?
Because of the subtlety with which perpetrators gain the trust of their victims, It is not easy to identify when a minor is being a victim of Grooming. However, one of the aspects that parents have identified is that the time that minors spend online considerably increases. Likewise, they are very irritable and aggressive when their parents control the time they use mobile devices.
Faced with this fact, It is important that parents frequently have access to their child’s devices and can review their online activity.but, likewise, that they can maintain a balance with respect for the privacy of the child.
How to create a protective space against Grooming?
Between the protective factors most important to deal with Grooming are counted:
- that the parents check regularly the mobile devices of minors.
- that the parents talk to children about sexual educationwhat are the intimate parts and appropriate and inappropriate touches, among others.
- Likewise, it is essential that parents promote communication with your children and avoid judging them when they try to tell something, because in this way that space for communication could be closed.
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How to educate children?
The most important thing is to have good communication with the minor, which is not always easy for parents. It is essential that children and adolescents receive correct information about sex from their parents. and don’t just stick with what you receive from your friends and the Internet.
In it # Movement We promote sexual education so that children and adolescents have tools to defend themselves against sexual abuse. Likewise, we share resources so that parents and caregivers learn to identify warning signs and prevent their children from becoming victims of sexual violence.
Also, do not forget that if you are a victim of sexual abuse, We create a safe and trustworthy space for you for you to share your story and start your healing process. and.
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