Journal of Sexual Aggremon

Journal of Sexual Aggremon (November 2006). Vol 12. Na 3. pp. 287 299 R°utiedge Sexual grooming of children: Review of literature and theoretical considerations Samantha Craven,''* Sarah Brown' & Elizabeth Gilchrist2 'Department of Psychology, Coventry University, Coventry, UK, and 2Department of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, UK Abstract The current review aims to outline the existing understanding of sexual grooming. Issues of poor definition, the adoption of the term "grooming" and the prevalence of sexual grooming will be discussed. Consideration will be given to how prominent theories of child sexual abuse often neglect sexual grooming. This will be followed by a detailed account of the existing knowledge within the literature. Three types of sexual grooming were thus identified: self-grooming, grooming the environment and significant others and grooming the child. Based on these findings, a new definition of sexual grooming is suggested. Furthermor