Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

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6. The Nature of Grooming

Regardless of the nature of the sexual exploitation, one feature is consistent: in order to ensure the child or young person complies, the perpetrator will 'groom' them. 
 
This is when an offender who wants to sexually exploit a young person isn't upfront about their intentions. They take time to make the young person, and sometimes their family, trust them.  
 
Grooming:
 
  • Can take a short time or can take many months of preparation
  • Can involve the young person's parents
  • Can be either online or in person
  • Is a very clever, often well practised, process
(Blackpool Council, 2023c)