🚨 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗙𝗼𝗿 🚨 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 is a manipulative process in which someone—whether an adult, older child, or young adult—builds a relationship with a child to gain their trust, often for the purpose of exploitation or abuse. This can happen gradually over time and may not be immediately obvious. 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 🔹 Excessive attention, gifts, or favors that seem out of place 🔹 Attempts to isolate the child from family and friends 🔹 Encouraging secrecy or telling the child to keep their interactions private 🔹 Gradual introduction of inappropriate topics, language, or behaviors 🔹 Making the child feel special or dependent on them 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 🔹 Becoming withdrawn or overly anxious 🔹 Sudden changes in mood, behavior, or social circles 🔹 Unexplained gifts, money, or messages from an unknown source 🔹 Fear or discomfort around a specific person 🔹 Difficulty setting boundaries or expressing discomfort Grooming can happen anywhere—online, at school, in social groups, or within families. 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺. If you suspect grooming, speak up and seek help from a trusted professional. Together, we can work to keep kids safe. 💙💛💙 #SouthmountainChildrenAndFamilyServices #southmountain #childrensadvocacycenters #cac #somocfs #ashecocac #burkecac #brcac #carteretcac #capcac #harnettcac #mcdowellcac #moorecac #newcac #joannsplace #trcac #Grooming #CAPM2025 (fb)

It is well-researched that children often don't disclose abuse. They may feel scared, ashamed, or are pressured to stay quiet. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐮𝐩, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡—𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐞. That’s why it’s crucial to recognize the warning signs: 🔹 Unexplained bruises or injuries 🔹 Sudden changes in behavior or mood 🔹 Withdrawal from friends, family, or activities 🔹 Fear of certain adults or places 🔹 Regression (bedwetting, thumb-sucking) If something feels off, trust your instincts. 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚, 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞. 💙 💙💛💙 #SouthmountainChildrenAndFamilyServices #southmountain #childrensadvocacycenters #cac #somocfs #ashecocac #burkecac #brcac #carteretcac #capcac #harnettcac #mcdowellcac #moorecac #newcac #joannsplace #trcac #CAPM2025 (fb)