Predators

Grooming Doesn’t Always Look Dangerous: How Predators Gain Trust

By Saved in America

Grooming rarely begins with threats or force. More often, it begins with kindness, attention, and emotional connection.

Saved in America investigations repeatedly show that traffickers succeed by becoming someone a child believes they can trust.

What Grooming Really Looks Like

Polaris Project explains:

“Traffickers often use emotional manipulation to build trust before exploitation occurs.”
(Source: Polaris Project)

In SIA cases, grooming commonly includes:

  • Listening when a child feels misunderstood

  • Offering validation or affection

  • Creating secrecy

  • Slowly isolating the child from family

Why Kids Don’t Recognize the Danger

Predators rarely identify themselves as unsafe. They often appear as:

  • Romantic interests

  • Supportive friends

  • Mentors

  • Influencers

  • “Protectors”

Children may feel loyalty, attachment, or guilt which keeps them silent.

Warning Signs of Grooming

  • Sudden emotional attachment to someone online

  • Secrecy about messages or calls

  • Defensiveness when questioned

  • New gifts, money, or promises

  • Pressure to keep secrets

How Parents Can Intervene

  • Ask open ended questions

  • Avoid judgment or panic

  • Reinforce that safety matters more than secrecy

  • Seek help immediately if concerns arise

Citations

  • Polaris Project: Grooming & Trafficking Tactics

  • NCMEC: Online Enticement Education

  • Saved in America Investigative Findings

If you suspect grooming, call Saved in America immediately.

760-348-8800

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Malerie Lujan