Project Milk Carton

Key Indicators: Groomers often single out a child, making them feel "special" or "mature for their age."

Notes: They may also "groom" the family—charming parents, offering babysitting help, and gaining trust to get alone time with the child.

Key Indicators: Groomers attempt to isolate the child by offering rides, private tutoring, or one-on-one outings.

Notes: They may discourage the child from spending time with others, using manipulative language like "Your parents don’t understand you."

Key Indicators: Gradual desensitization to physical contact—starting with innocent-seeming gestures (hugs, tickling, play wrestling) that escalate over time.

Notes: They may introduce inappropriate conversations about relationships or sex, blurring adult-child boundaries.

Key Indicators: Groomers often buy gifts, provide money, or treat the child in ways that create emotional dependency.

Notes: This can later be used as leverage—"I’ve done all this for you, so now you owe me."

Key Indicators: Groomers will frequently say "this is our secret" to prevent children from disclosing the abuse.

Notes: They may undermine parental authority, handling the child’s problems themselves to create an exclusive relationship.

Key Indicators: They may force physical affection (insisting on hugs) or invade the child’s personal space (entering bedrooms without knocking, etc.).

Notes: Groomers often make children feel guilty for asserting their own boundaries, eroding their ability to say no.