The Faculty of Psychology UGM in collaboration with the Center for Public Mental Health (CPMH) held the last online lecture session in 2021 with the topic “Sexual Grooming Alert”. This time the topic was delivered by Nurul Kusuma Hidayati, M.Psi., Psychologist and Wirdatul Anis, M.Psi., Psychologist. “Before we know much about sexual grooming, actually grooming has a positive meaning, namely preparing so that the results will be more prepared or better,” said Nurul at the beginning of the session.
However, the term grooming has become a sad thing because over time it has become a term that must be wary of. According to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, grooming can be interpreted as a person’s efforts to build relationships, trust, and emotional relationships with children and adolescents which can later become a means to manipulate, exploit, and abuse. “If you look at the definition, there is a keyword like “preparing”. That is, indeed, everything that is done to prepare children or teenagers or someone to be a target, “explained Nurul.
Thus, sexual grooming is indeed a start to prepare someone to be ready to accept sexual harassment behavior. Therefore, it is not uncommon for victims of sexual harassment to feel okay and confused about why other people think that they are victims of sexual harassment cases. The feeling of being okay and something wrong not happened that is felt by victims of sexual harassment is an extreme effect caused by sexual grooming.
Sexual grooming doesn’t mean it can’t be prevented. There are many things that can be done that aim to keep those around us from sexual grooming. First and foremost is the awareness of parents regarding the potential dangers including education about sexuality. “In times like this, parents cannot continue to keep their children sterile. What parents can do today is to strengthen their sex education. So that children know that when there are teachings that are contrary to those conveyed by their parents, the children will be open in conveying it,” explained Wirdatul.