Sexual harassment is a serious problem and the victims are not only adults, children can also be victims. This of course makes parents have to be extra vigilant about their children. If left unchecked, sexual harassment that happens to anyone will have a negative impact on the psychological, mental and physical of the victim.
One of the sexual abuse that occurs in children is child grooming. In fact, there are many children who experience child grooming. It's just that they don't dare to report it. Come on, see further explanations about child grooming which are summarized from various sources!
What is Child Grooming?
Child grooming is an approach taken by perpetrators to build emotional relationships with victims and families with the aim of sexual harassment. Child grooming is also often used to lure minors into illicit businesses, such as child trafficking, child prostitution, cyber sex trafficking, or the production of child pornography.
It is necessary to be aware that child grooming can occur in person or online and is usually carried out by the closest people. Sexual harassment that occurs online is usually the victim will be seduced to perform indecent activities through videos or photos. As parents, you need to be aware of the use of technology in children.
How Perpetrators Do Child Grooming
The first thing a child grooming actor does is select the victim first. Not only physically, the perpetrator also selects access to approach the victim. Children who do not get extra supervision from their parents are very vulnerable to becoming victims of child grooming.
After selecting, the perpetrator began to approach the child. Can offer babysitting services when parents are busy working, invite them to play, and so on. On that occasion, the perpetrator tried to gain the trust of the victim.
When the victim begins to believe, the perpetrator will seduce the victim by luring the victim with things that the victim likes or even giving them money. After the victim was captivated, the perpetrator launched his action. Oftentimes, child grooming perpetrators threaten victims not to report what has happened to their parents.
Characteristics of Children Experiencing Child Grooming
The characteristics of children experiencing child grooming can be known early on. Although the child may not necessarily experience child grooming, parents can immediately be alert and find out if the child is experiencing the following characteristics:
Get a gift without the parents knowing and the child doesn't want to tell who gave the gift.
Less often play with friends his age.
Has a very close relationship with adults other than his family.
Having money without the knowledge of parents.
Often lie.
Very closed to the use of the internet.
Often alone in the room.
Prevention
There are several ways that parents can do to prevent their children from experiencing child grooming, such as:
Do not allow children to be alone with adults other than parents.
Reject strangers who suddenly want to offer help to the family, such as babysitting.
Always monitor the people around the child.
Set aside time for quality time with children.
Those are the things parents need to be aware of about child grooming. Always remember for parents to always supervise children wherever and whenever.