Free · Certificate included

Preventing Grooming Behaviors

Spot and interrupt the grooming patterns abusers use to gain access to children.

35 min Beginner 7 modules Pass 80%

For: Volunteers and staff who work with minors

What you’ll learn

Recognize the stages and tactics of grooming — of the child and of the organization
Interrupt boundary-testing and isolation behavior early, without accusing anyone
Understand how clear policies remove the access grooming depends on
Report grooming concerns through the right channels, calmly and factually

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Course outline

1
What grooming is — and why it works
Grooming is the gradual, deliberate process an abuser uses to gain access to a child, build trust, and lower everyone’s defenses — so that abuse can happen and stay…
6 min Quiz Interactive
2
The stages of grooming
Researchers and prevention organizations describe grooming as a sequence of overlapping stages.
7 min Quiz Interactive
3
Grooming the organization and the community
Here is the part most people miss: an abuser doesn’t only groom the child.
6 min Quiz Interactive
4
Boundary-testing and desensitizing
The stage where alert adults most often can intervene is boundary-testing.
6 min Quiz Interactive
5
How policies disrupt grooming
Grooming isn’t defeated mainly by gut instinct in the moment — it’s defeated by boring, consistent policy that removes the access and secrecy it requires.
6 min Quiz
6
Reporting concerns the right way
When you notice something, your job is not to investigate, confront, or prove anything.
5 min Quiz Interactive
7
Putting it together: notice, interrupt, report
Let’s tie it together. You volunteer with an after-school program. A well-liked volunteer, Chris, is great with the kids — and lately you’ve noticed a few things.…
4 min Interactive

Sources & further reading

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