QUOTIDIAN BLESSING

There is a third definition of the word “grooming” – “The action of attempting to form a relationship with a child or young person, with the intention of sexually assaulting them.” I will stop here. Because there is more to it, but I don’t have the stomach to copy it. For all those who think I write “sad stories,” this one is for you, especially if you have a daughter. Even though when another parent in your friends circle with a daughter or son, the same age as your own child, particularly targets your child, to “groom” them, no matter how great a parent you are, you are rendered helpless. 

Unfortunately, these days, you can never know who your child is with on social media platforms and multimedia messaging applications. With the ability to send and receive messages, pictures, and videos without any parental controls because of disappearing features or whatever it might be, no snooping or counseling can sometimes prevent the unthinkable from happening. But, with some rare luck if you are able to detect something fishy, I hope you take action and give it your might to prevent a tragedy. Please listen to Amy’s podcast if you need first hand how that feels. I know the parents enough to assert – THEY TRIED.

Once the child turns 18, and God forbid they make a decision to walk out with their “groomer,” who probably earned their sympathy by sharing sob stories, or giving gifts unnecessarily, lavish dinners or secret conversations, or by exhibiting a certain vulgarity on the pretext of “love,” it’s a catastrophe that was awaiting to happen for a long time. Because these predators are smart, savvy, friendly, fit in anywhere, are influential, great story tellers, and can go any length to “capture” their quarry. 

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month. My goal this upcoming month and whenever I can is to share real stories dedicated to saving a child especially daughters from falling victims ignorantly or forcibly from what starts as a simple one-liners or a picture that seems harmless leading to a concoction of lies and cobwebs of captivity. I find myself thanking my Italian host parents a million times because they refused to send me with this man twice my age, in the middle of the night, posed as a mentor who wanted to co-write an article in his house. Both lies. His intentions were otherwise.

This is a time and age where trust is not trust anymore. People who live amongst us might be perverts, pedophiles, or proscribes. There is good in the world, but we need to inculcate the situational awareness amongst ourselves and our brood on when to take refuge in the support system and when to implore the law. Gone are those days when we only talk about the right and wrong touch. This is the time to safeguard our children from predators, ensuring their digital and physical worlds are safe. Together, we can create a safer world for all.