If there's imminent danger or threat call 911
623-688-3214
National Human Trafficking Hotline - 1-888-373-7888 TTY: 711 Text* 233733
Cyber Tio Line
Homeland Security Human Trafficking Reporting Site
National Grooming Prevention Hotline
A Place to Ask Questions. A Place to Get Support.
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Not every situation is clear—but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored. Grooming often begins in subtle ways. It can look like kindness, attention, or support. It can feel confusing. Easy to second-guess. If something feels off, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
What This Hotline Is
The National Grooming Prevention Hotline is a prevention and support resource designed for people who have questions or concerns about possible grooming behavior.
It is a place to:
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Ask questions
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Talk through situations
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Better understand what you’re seeing
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Receive guidance on safe, appropriate next steps
This hotline exists to help people recognize early warning signs—before harm occurs.
What This Hotline Is Not
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Not a crisis or emergency line
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Not law enforcement
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Not a reporting agency
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
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When Should You Reach Out?
You don’t need certainty.
Reach out if:
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Something feels off, but you’re not sure why
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A child is receiving unusual attention, gifts, or communication
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Someone is asking for secrecy or private conversations
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You’re unsure how to respond to a situation
If you’re questioning it, it’s worth asking.
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Who This Is For
This resource is for:
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Parents and caregivers
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Teachers and school staff
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Healthcare and social service professionals
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Community members
Anyone who wants to better understand grooming and respond appropriately.
Why This Matters
Most people wait until there is proof.
By that point, harm may have already occurred.
Prevention starts earlier.
The ability to:
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Recognize patterns
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Ask questions
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Act with guidance
can make the difference between escalation and intervention.
What You Can Expect
When you reach out, you will receive:
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Support without judgment
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Clarity in uncertain situations
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Education on grooming behaviors
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Guidance to help you make informed decisions
You will not be expected to have all the answers.
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You Don’t Need Proof
You don’t need to be certain.
You don’t need to have evidence.
You just need to trust that something doesn’t feel right.
That is enough to start the conversation.
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Start Here
Not sure what you’re seeing? Start here.
Ask the question before it becomes a crisis.
Something feel off? You’re not alone.
Child Grooming:
Grooming a child is a manipulative process where an adult builds a relationship with a child to gain their trust and lower their inhibitions, often with the intent of sexually abusing them. This can involve emotional manipulation, gifts, and isolating the child from their support network.
Adult Grooming:
Adult grooming for sex is when a sexual predator builds a relationship with an adult to abuse and exploit them. The groomer often comes across as charming and helpful at first, but uses trust to control, isolate, and abuse their victims emotionally, physically, and sexually. This process is the most common way adults and children end up in sex trafficking situations. In toxic or abusive relationships, grooming can create a false sense of extreme emotional connection and dependence, making the victim more vulnerable to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
The goal is to stop grooming before it progresses to trafficking, as in most cases the authorities cannot get involved until a crime has been committed.
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Identifying and targeting the victim.
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Gaining trust and access.
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Playing a role in the person's life.
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Isolating the person
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Creating secrecy around the relationship.
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Initiating sexual contact.