It looks dramatic in the movies, but your child will most likely not be snatched away from you during that split second you turn your back in the grocery store. Child abductions are very rare. They do happen, but it’s statistically uncommon. What is significantly more common, and far less discussed, is how often children are groomed by a trusted adult for years before finally being sexually abused by them. It’s something that should be a concern for every parent.
As a dad, it’s your job to protect your children from groomers. According to the CDC, about 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys in the United States experience child sexual abuse, and in 91 percent of these cases, the victim knows the abuser. The loss of innocence is painful because it not only includes physical abuse but mental abuse as well. Victims will often struggle to trust people in authority after suffering the trauma of being groomed.
Groomers care only about themselves and operate from a repeatable, observable formula to gain power over children. They build relationships, fill a child’s needs, isolate them, and sexualize the relationship before finally exerting control. The pattern works over time. Grooming is a long game, which is why you, as the parent, need to know the signs and cut off the process. Guard your child’s innocence and protect them from harm by being open about the dangers of trusting people they shouldn’t.
Check out this video from our Child Safety Series. We explain the signs of grooming, the tactics used by abusers, and tips to start discussions with your kids. If you haven’t learned all the warning signs, today is the perfect day to start. Don’t assume grooming won’t happen to your child. Predators are lurking. Knowing this information could save your child from a life of torment.
Huddle up with your kids and ask, “What do you think you should you do around people who make you feel uneasy or nervous?”