Grooming is when an emotional connection is built with another person to gain their trust for the purposes of sexual actives, abuse, financial gain or exploitation. Children and young people can be particularly vulnerable to grooming. Victims of grooming are often targeted online or in society, by a stranger or by someone they know, such as a family member, friend or professional. Groomers may be male or female and can be of any age. Many people do not realise that they are being groomed or are being abused.
Conversion is a similar process of control and manipulation; individuals can become victims of forced conversions to different religions. Forced conversion has a strong association with religion, as individuals are able to influence others to change their religion by undermining their faith. Often, vulnerable people are targeted who have little connection with their own faith and beliefs. In most cases the process may involve threatening behaviour, physical harm or emotional harm.
These processes of grooming and forced conversion can happen both online and in society. Perpetrators will hide their true intentions and may spend a long time gaining the victims trust as well as their families in some situations.
If you are worried about yourself, a friend or family member who is suffering from grooming or forced conversion, it is important to get help. Talking to the Sikh Helpline can help to give you a better understanding of the problem and how to best deal with it. We can help you to by supporting you and you getting you in touch with the right agencies.
Talking to the Sikh Helpline can help to give you a better understanding of the problem and how to best deal with it. We can help by supporting and getting you in touch with the right agencies. The Sikh Helpline is here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help and you can contact us anytime.
Together, we can make a difference, and put an end to unethical techniques used to manipulate our youth. The silence of victims will only embolden the perpetrators and put other younsters at risk.
Call Our 24hrs Helplines: 0799900 4363 or 0845 644 0704