Sexual grooming of minors

SA – Sexual grooming of minors refers to the process by which an adult establishes a relationship with a minor to gain their trust for the purpose of sexual exploitation or abuse.

According to Mike Bolhuis, Specialist Investigators into Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes, “This often occurs on various social media platforms where communication is facilitated, making it crucial for parents to be aware and take steps to safeguard their children.” 

SAFETY MEASURES TO PROTECT CHILDREN

• Educate your child
  Talk openly with your child about online interactions’ potential risks and dangers.
  Ensure they understand the importance of privacy and not sharing personal information online.
• Establish open communication 
  Create an environment where your child feels comfortable discussing their online experiences with you.
  Encourage them to report any uncomfortable or suspicious interactions.
• Set privacy settings
  Help your child configure privacy settings on their social media accounts to control who can see and interact with their profile.
• Monitor online activity
  Regularly check your child’s online activity, including friend lists, messages, and posts.
  Consider using parental control software to track and manage their online presence.
• Teach critical thinking
  Help your child develop critical thinking skills to evaluate online content and identify potential dangers.
  Discuss the importance of not trusting strangers, even in online environments.
• Recognise warning signs
  Be aware of signs that may indicate online grooming, such as excessive secrecy, withdrawal from family and friends, or sudden changes in behaviour.
  Watch for inappropriate or suspicious messages or requests.
• Limit screen time
  Set reasonable limits on your child’s screen time and ensure they have a healthy balance between online and offline activities.
• Be a positive online role model
  Demonstrate responsible online behaviour and establish guidelines for using social media.
  Show your child how to engage positively and respectfully in online communities.

GROOMING TECHNIQUES

• Building trust
  Predators may spend time establishing trust and friendship with the child, posing as someone sympathetic, understanding, or supportive.
• Emotional manipulation 
  Groomers often use emotional manipulation to create a sense of dependency, making the child feel special, understood, or cared for.
• Gifts and favours
  Predators offer gifts, money, or other favours to create a sense of indebtedness in the child.
• Isolation
  Groomers try to isolate the child by discouraging them from spending time with friends or family, making them more dependent on the predator.
• Secrecy
  Groomers often insist on keeping the relationship a secret, making the child feel that they need to hide the interactions.
• Gradual escalation
  Grooming typically involves a gradual progression from innocent conversations to more explicit or inappropriate discussions and requests.

If you suspect grooming, report it to law enforcement and the platform where the communication occurs. Specialised Security Services is also able to assist in safeguarding and thoroughly tracking your child’s online activity. Do not hesitate to contact Mike Bolhuis and his team if you have any concerns regarding your child’s online interactions.

Mike Bolhuis, Specialist Investigators into Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes press release extracts