The act of sexual grooming is when you have an adult establish an emotional

connection with a minor in order to over the course of days, weeks, months, or sometimes even years

induce them to engage in some form of sexual activity.

It's a very insidious crime,

because while in the surface, it might sometimes just look like playful banter under the surface.

The adult's intention is to eventually take advantage of that child.

And while I was over at CPAC this year in Washington, D.C. I met a woman who told me the story of how her son was groomed by his teacher.

And then subsequently, she explained to me the challenges parents face when fighting against real unabashed grooming.

Specifically, the fact that the legal framework

in this particular arena is really not that extensive.

That's because at the federal level,

you do have a law against coercion and enticement.

For your reference, it's 18 U.S. Code subsection 2422.

However, that particular federal law can only be applied

if the groomer either crosses state lines

or uses the mail in their grooming activities.

If an adult is grooming your kids without using the mail and without crossing state lines,

well that particular federal law doesn't apply.

There is also 18 U.S. Code

subsection 2425 which can be used against grooming but it likewise requires an

adult to be going across state lines in the course of their grooming activities

which sort of right there exposes the problem because lines in the course of their grooming activities.

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