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What It Is. How It Works. How to Get Help.

The Grooming Stages

• 1. Target: look for isolated, lonely, or vulnerable young people
• 2. Build trust: become their closest confidant
• 3. Test boundaries: introduce inappropriate content gradually
• 4. Isolate: separate from family and real friends
• 5. Entrap: use shame and secrecy to maintain control

The Law Is Clear

• Section 15 SOA 2003: grooming = up to 10 years
• Section 15A: sexual communication with a child = up to 2 years
• Victims are NEVER prosecuted for what happened to them
• Section 45 MSA 2015: legal protection for child victims

Warning Signs in a Friend

• New, older online contact they're secretive about
• Becoming withdrawn from family and real friends
• Receiving unexplained gifts
• Seeming scared or upset after using devices
• If you see this — tell a trusted adult even if they ask you not to

Reporting and What Happens

• 🌐 ceop.police.uk — specialist police, reports taken seriously
• 🏫 Tell your school DSL — they have a duty to act
• 📞 Childline: 0800 1111
• When you report: you're protected. The evidence is handled by specialists.

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Tell someone. CEOP is there. Help is real.