Thread by @RachelintheOC

Helpful info on grooming from @CHILD_USA:

1. Child sex abusers “groom” their child victims. Child sex abusers are patient and cunning, and often the “nice guys” you want your kids to spend time with. Often generous, fun activities, cash, candy,

#SexAbuseChat

jewelry, special clothing, trips, adopting endearing nicknames, telling the children he/she “loves” them and their families, and other special treatment. Telling children that sex abuse is how they show “love” to each other. Using showers, alcohol #SexAbuseChat

and pornography to lower defenses. Telling children that God means for them to be together. Having mock wedding ceremonies complete with clothing and rings. #SexAbuseChat

2. Child molesters groom the families of the victims to get access to the children, often developing close relationships with parents separately, as well as siblings. Building trust is important. #SexAbuseChat

Saw this with #RKelly and #LeavingNeverland #MichaelJackson cases. Again, this is not about whether you believe them innocent or guilty. We're not discussing that. We're discussing GROOMING and the relationships these men developed with the families of the children #SexAbuseChat

3. They seek to separate their victims from their support systems, driving a wedge between them and their families, often telling them that parents are bad and that in particular women and mothers are evil. #SexAbuseChat

If you study child molester behavior, this is a common theme. Abusers often threaten victims, telling them not to tell anyone, because "no one else would understand."

Children believe this. Why wouldn't they? They're so young and they believe adults #SexAbuseChat

4. They work very hard to get and keep children alone. Both documentaries discuss this. As #CSA survivors, we also know this to be true. I was isolated in every situation when the abuse occurred by the neighbor who abused me, regardless of my protests. #SexAbuseChat

5. Abusers take advantage of the fact that children do not understand what sex abuse is, particularly very small children. Most victims struggle most of our lives to put the abuse into context. #SexAbuseChat

It is not uncommon for children to be confused by what is happening to them, especially when they revere or love the perpetrator. This is true whether the perpetrator is a family member or a rock star. #SexAbuseChat

6. NOT uncommon for children survivors to wait to disclose. Most are in their 40s or 50s before they share publicly (if at all) what happened to them as children.

You can read more about this on the Health and Human Services site, @CHILD_USA, @RAINN, and @TheJHF #SexAbuseChat