A local task force is looking to raise awareness of child grooming in our area.
The Sheboygan County Human Trafficking Task Force notes that grooming is not a harmless behavior, but rather is often the first step toward the exploitation or trafficking of a child.
For this reason, the task force has provided parents, caregivers, educators, and community members with warning signs that a child may be getting groomed.
They include a child participating in secretive communications, requests to hide relationships, excessive gifts or attention, isolation from trusted adults, and attempts to normalize inappropriate behavior.
The task force continues to say, “Wisconsin recently enacted legislation making the grooming of a child a criminal offense, providing law enforcement with another tool to intervene before abuse escalates.”
These new laws give children stronger protection and help ensure that early intervention stops exploitation before it ever begins.
Anyone who suspects suspicious behavior, such as grooming, is encouraged to contact their local police department or Sheriff’s Office to report it.
