3.13 Summary of Session 3

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A young female person shouting into a megaphone.

The main learning and messages from this session are:

It is important to understand the process of grooming and take steps to reduce opportunities for it to happen. A six-stage grooming model was outlined explaining the process of targeting victims, gaining trust, filling a need, isolation, sexualising, and maintaining control/secrecy. There is a need to focus on a person’s behaviour as a way to prevent or intervene in the grooming process. Understanding why abusers often target vulnerable people helps you take steps to reduce opportunities for grooming to happen. Abusers groom parents, other adults around the child, and often the sports club/community environment to create an image that means any report is less likely to be believed. The five types of actions organisations can take to combat grooming are prohibit risky behaviours, educate all stakeholders, promote reporting and responding, record all concerns, and encourage a child-centred culture. Codes of conduct are very important since they clarify appropriate behaviours.

When you are ready, move on to Session 4 Understanding risk, where you discover more about understanding and assessing risk.