Online grooming is where someone makes friends with an individual (of any age) via the internet, for example, through social media, dating sites or gaming platforms and builds up their trust with the intention of exploiting them and causing them harm.
Online grooming techniques can result in harming individuals both on and offline, not just in relation to sexual abuse but also financial abuse or as part of the radicalisation process, among others.
USEFUL LINKS & CONTACTS
REPORTING
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WEST MIDLANDS POLICE: Call 999 in an emergency. For all other matters please visit WMPolice Online
https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/
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EMERGENCY SMS SERVICE FOR DEAF, HARD OF HEARING AND SPEECH IMPAIRED PEOPLE
In an emergency you can use your phone to contact the emergency services by texting 999.
You MUST register your mobile phone number before using this service. Just send the word ‘Register’ in a text message to the number 999 and follow the simple instructions you receive back.
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Report online child abuse to:
CEOP - CHILD EXPLOITATION & ONLINE PROTECTION COMMAND
REPORT AN IMAGE OR VIDEO
If you are under 18 and an explicit or nude image of you has been shared online, this page can confidentially
help you to get it removed. https://contentreporting.childline.org.uk/
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USEFUL WEBSITES
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GROOMING FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
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CHILDLINE
A free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything. This page will tell you what you need to know to keep you and others safe from online grooming
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/online-grooming/
INTERNET MATTERS
Internet Matters have created a hub of expert advice to support parents and carers to support children and young people on this issue.
https://www.internetmatters.org/issues/online-grooming/
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THINKUKNOW
A range of information and resources for children, young people, parents and carers and professionals
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THE INTERNET, RELATIONSHIPS & YOU
CEOP Education pages for 11-18 year olds: https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/11_18/
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GROOMING FOR FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION
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ANN CRAFT TRUST
Signs of Grooming in Adults – What to Watch Out For https://www.anncrafttrust.org/signs-of-grooming-in-adults-what-to-watch-out-for/
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GET SAFE ONLINE
The vast majority of people using dating sites are sincere and honest in the information they provide and in their reasons for joining. However, there are exceptions, and you need to be aware of how to keep yourself - and your bank account and savings - protected while meeting people online https://www.getsafeonline.org/protecting-yourself/online-dating/
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TAKE FIVE
Take Five is a national campaign that offers straight-forward and impartial advice to help everyone protect themselves from preventable financial fraud https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk
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FRIENDS AGAINST SCAMS
Friends Against Scams is a National Trading Standards Scams Team initiative, which aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams by empowering people to take a stand against scams
https://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/
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GROOMING FOR RADICALISATION
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GET SAFE ONLINE
Radicalisation by extremist groups or individuals can be perpetrated via a number of means: face-to-face by peers, in organised groups in the community and, increasingly, online. https://www.getsafeonline.org/protecting-yourself/online-radicalisation/
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INTERNET MATTERS
Internet Matters have created a hub of expert advice to support parents and carers to support children and young people on this issue. https://www.internetmatters.org/issues/radicalisation/
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EDUCATE AGAINST HATE
How can you keep your child safe from extremism online? https://educateagainsthate.com/online-radicalisation/
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LETS TALK ABOUT IT
Unfortunately, whilst rare, there are negative influencers and online groomers who use the internet, social media and online gaming to spread their extreme ideas, which children can be exposed to: https://www.ltai.info/staying-safe-online/
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E'LEARNING
DUDLEY SAFE AND SOUND, in conjunction with Dudley Grid for Learning and Dudley Safeguarding People Partnership, have developed a suite of Online Safety eLearning Courses. The courses are suitable for both the Adults and Childrens workforces across the borough and are free to book onto.
They consist of an introductory Level 1 course and 10 bite size Level 2 modules exploring: Disinformation Vs Misinformation; Online Abuse; Policing the Internet; Cyber Bullying; Gaming and Gambling; Emotional Health and Wellbeing; Live Streaming and Virtual relationships; Sexual Images; Hate Crime and Extreme Views and The Dark Web. Access these courses by visiting https://dudleysafeguarding.event-booking.org/elearning-list
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THINKUKNOW offers a range of training courses for those who work directly with children and young people: https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/professionals/training/
The NSPCC in association with CEOP (the child protection unit of the National Crime Agency): This eLearning course will help you to understand what children and young people do online, why they take risks and how to respond to these risks so you can feel confident in protecting the children you work with: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/training/online-safety
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TAKE FIVE SCAM ACADEMY
A short course that teaches you how to spot – and steer clear of – three of the biggest financial fraud scams in the UK today
DOCUMENTS & RESOURCES
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
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For educational resources and session plans please visit:
