Many sex crimes committed against children are preceded by sexual grooming: a pattern of behavior by a sexual predator meant to isolate, control and get close to their victims. Sexual grooming can be difficult to spot if a parent or guardian doesn’t know what to look for. Becoming familiar with grooming can help you stop a sex offender before child abuse begins.
Defining Sexual Grooming
Sexual grooming is a process that paves the way for sexual predators to commit heinous acts of child sexual abuse. It is a pattern of behavior used to gain access to a target and minimize the risk of detection by becoming familiar with the victim, the victim’s family and the community. Sexual grooming may take place over the course of just a few days or multiple years. Sex offenders are often patient in their efforts to gain trust and avoid getting caught. In the event you suspect this is happening to your child, contact our Illinois child sexual abuse attorney today.
Criminal Consequences of Sexual Grooming in Illinois
Sexual grooming is a crime in Illinois. Criminal Code § 11-25 defines it as to knowingly “seduce, solicit, lure, or entice,” a child (a person under 17 years of age), or attempt to, through electronic means.
It is also sexual grooming to do these things in an attempt “to distribute photographs depicting the sex organs of the child, or to otherwise engage in any unlawful sexual conduct with a child or with another person believed by the person to be a child.”
This crime is considered a class 4 felony in Illinois. The potential penalties include a minimum of one year in jail (up to three years in prison) and a fine of up to $25,000. These penalties are increased if it is not the defendant’s first conviction for a sexual offense.
Examples of Sexual Grooming
While sexual grooming can happen in many different ways, historically, many predators use common grooming patterns. They start by targeting their victims – often underage children or vulnerable teenagers who do not have adults around. Then, they try to become friendly with the target in the hopes of creating a relationship and gaining the victim’s trust.
Sexual predators can engage in many actions and behaviors while attempting to groom a target, such as:
- Contacting an underage child virtually, on the internet or through social media
- Lavishing expensive gifts on the child
- Showering the child with compliments, attention and praise
- Making the child feel special
- Isolating the child to gain one-on-one time
- Normalizing abusive touching or behaviors in stages
- Using a position of power or control to manipulate the child
Sexual grooming does not happen overnight. It is a long-term endeavor that can involve weeks, months or years of pursuit by the perpetrator to build a relationship with the targeted individual. Knowing how to spot the red flags of sexual grooming can enable you to report the groomer and protect your child.
What to Do if You Suspect Sexual Grooming
If you suspect someone in your community of sexual grooming, report it immediately to the correct authorities. Begin by notifying law enforcement, either by calling 911 in an emergency or using your local police department’s non-emergency number. Support your allegations as much as possible with evidence, such as digital communications that suggest grooming.
If a child is in immediate danger with his or her guardians, contact the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Use their Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873) to report your suspicions.
If you wish to press charges against a sexual predator for grooming a child, cooperate with the police during the criminal process. Then, explore your family’s right to file a civil lawsuit against the groomer and contact us at the Mahoney Law Firm and get experienced sexual abuse lawyer in Illinois by your side.
