Groomers possess the skills to deceive victims, their families, and entire communities. The process is subtle and involves forming a relationship with a vulnerable person with the intention of future sexual assault or inducing the victim to participate in a crime.

A youth’s inherent obedience and financial dependence on adults can also make them easy targets when living with or in proximity to a sexual predator. Particularly vulnerable populations include individuals from marginalized communities, such as LGBTQ+ youth, undocumented immigrants, and those with a history of trauma or abuse. Providing education enables adults and adolescents to understand how human traffickers prey on at-risk populations and empowers them to recognize and respond to manipulation, intimidation, and coercion.