Exploitation and Grooming

Grooming is when someone builds a relationship, trust and emotional connection with a child, young person or someone who is vulnerable, with the intention of manipulating, exploiting and abusing them. It can take place over short (days or weeks) or long (months or years) periods of time.

Groomers may also build a relationship with the victim’s family or friends to make them seem trustworthy or authoritative. This could include members of the victim’s family, and people within the church. By developing a reputation of respectability, helpfulness or popularity, an abuser makes it more difficult for a child to disclose abuse, or for adults who trust the individual to accept that there could be a cause for concern.

You can help by:

• Knowing the signs of exploitation, being vigilant, and taking any disclosures or concerns seriously.
• Referring concerns to safeguarding coordinators, Synod Safeguarding Officers, social services or the Police.
• Using resources like the NSPCC or UK Safer Internet Centre to support parents, families and individuals to learn how to stay safe online.

Please also refer to the URC's Good Practice 6 guideline for more information, available on our Safeguarding Resources & Forms page.