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Being a parent is hard in the modern age, with more and more
parents becoming concerned that their children are being
targeted by sexual predators online or at activity clubs.
But what happens if you are on the opposite side; you have
been engaging in what you deemed to be an innocent activity
with a child to later be accused of a sexual act?
Stage 1- Targeting the victim
According to any sexual offence solicitor, this stage can be the
hardest to prove in any case as it may appear to be simple
interaction.
It involves the alleged offender determining the child's
vulnerability; are they happy, do they have emotional support
and are they able to communicate their needs to their
parents?
And, indeed, many people who have attempted to comfort
vulnerable children have later gone on to be falsely accused of
sexual grooming practices, when all they wanted to do was
help.
If this sounds familiar to you and mirrors your circumstances,
contact a sexual offence solicitor for advice.
Stage 2- The bond
Again, this stage can be misinterpreted and may involve an
adult simply trying to gain the trust of the child so they can talk
more freely about what is occurring at home.
But, in more sinister cases, according to any sexual offence
solicitor, it can also involve trying to gain the trust of the
parents, so they will let down their guard and allow greater
access to the child or enable the person to become part of the
family.
Stage 3- Filling a need
You get the idea! If someone is trying to help a child who is
being neglected at home, this is not necessarily the sign of a
predator, but according to a sexual offence solicitor, it can be
easily misinterpreted as such.
But, in the case of grooming, it seeks to make the abuser a
valuable part of the child's life, so they will be unwilling or not
want to have them removed.
Stage 4- Isolation
This is where it stops being as innocent and becomes more