Michelle Peterson

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WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GROOMING

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WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GROOMING

Important topics parents need to know……

🔑 What Parents Need to Know About Grooming

  1. Grooming Exists and Is Common
  • Predators don’t just “snatch kids off the street.” They slowly earn trust—with parents and with the child.
  • Most grooming happens by someone the child already knows—a teacher, coach, family friend, or even another relative.
  1. The Steps Predators Use

Parents need to recognize patterns:

  1. Targeting a child (often vulnerable, shy, lonely, or craving attention).
  2. Gaining trust (building friendship, buying gifts, offering rides, giving attention).
  3. Isolation (separating the child from protective adults).
  4. Creating secrecy (“this is our special secret—don’t tell anyone”).
  5. Desensitization (introducing touch, normalizing inappropriate behavior).
  6. Abuse (exploiting the control built over time).
  1. Warning Signs in Children
  • Sudden secrecy about new relationships, friends, or online activity.
  • Unexplained gifts, money, or devices.
  • Withdrawal, anxiety, or mood swings.
  • Talking in ways that are too mature for their age (because an adult is influencing them).
  1. Warning Signs in Adults
  • Excessive interest in a specific child (always volunteering with them, requesting one-on-one time).
  • Trying to bypass parents (“you can tell me anything,” “you don’t need to bother your mom about this”).
  • Using secrets, flattery, or guilt to keep a child quiet.
  1. Online Grooming is Real
  • Predators pose as kids on apps, games, and social media.
  • They move fast: first chat → flattery → move to private messaging → push for photos or in-person meetings.
  • Parents need to know what apps kids use, who they talk to, and how to check privacy settings.
  1. What Kids Need to Hear From Parents
  • “You can tell me anything—without getting in trouble.”
  • “If someone asks you to keep a secret, show me right away.”
  • “No adult should ever ask you for pictures, or to keep things private from me.”
  • “I will always believe you and protect you.”
  1. Why Andrew’s Law Matters
  • Laws must match reality: grooming is a deliberate, calculated crime, not a “lesser” offense.
  • Parents need to know that under Andrew’s Law, predators can’t plea bargain grooming into something minor—they’ll be fully accountable.

✅ Parents need concrete signs to look for, exact words to say to their child(ren), and assurance the law is closing loopholes that let predators off easy.

Clear and Present Danger and how Andrew’s Law is needed as urgent legislative action

  1. Opening: A Mother’s Warning with Real Weight
  • “I believe in a world that protects its most vulnerable. My son’s horror was proof that we aren’t there yet—and we must never ignore that.”
  • “Grooming is not abstract—it is happening now, in homes, schools, and neighborhoods we trust.”
  1. The Problem: Grooming Exploits Loopholes
  • “Yes, predators can still escape full accountability, thanks to plea deals that let serious crimes like grooming, child trafficking, or involuntary sexual servitude be watered down.” Facebook+4Senator Rezin+4Senator Rezin+4
  • “No parent should be told, ‘We can’t charge them fully’—that’s not justice, that’s betrayal.”
  1. Andrews Law: Closing the Cracks
  • Andrew’s Law (Senate Bill 284 / House Bill 1140):
    • Bans plea bargains for predators who groom, traffic, or exploit children. Senator Rezin+2Senator Rezin+2
    • Restricts where convicted child sex offenders can go—they’re barred from places designed for minors. Senator Rezin
  • “This is a line in the sand: no more reduced charges—only full accountability.”
  1. Michelle’s Advocacy: Turning Pain into Protection
  • “I’m not standing here by chance—I’ve fought for children across multiple states like Florida, Iowa, Arizona, Georgia, and most recently, Montana.” Senator Rezin
  • “If you believe children are worth protecting, make Andrew’s Law more than a bill—make it a mandate.”
  1. The Stakes: Turn Pain Into Protection
  • “We’re not debating politics—we’re defending children’s futures.”
  • “While predators groom in plain sight, we argue over formality. That stops here. Prove you’re a child advocate—vote this into law.”
  • “Our society’s soul is judged by how we treat children. This is how we prove we care.”
  1. A Call to Action for Every Parent
  • “Talk to your kids—not just about ‘stranger danger’—but about grooming tactics: secrecy, flattery, manipulation.”
  • “Know the signs: a predator isn’t always a stranger at the park—it could be someone online or someone your child trusts.”
  • “Reach out, get involved, demand action: **your voice moves lawmakers—this law shows them you’re watching.””
  1. Closing: A Shared Responsibility
  • “I speak for every parent who wants safety—not rhetoric. We have a duty to act. Andrew’s Law isn’t just legislation—it’s protection in our children’s name.”
  • “Don’t just say you care about children—vote like you mean it.”

Summary of Key Themes

Theme

Core Message

Urgency

Grooming is real, present, and dangerous

Gap in Justice

Loopholes let predators off easy, often via plea deals

Legislative Solution

Andrew’s Law ends plea deals and restricts predator access to minors

Personal Credibility

Michelle’s advocacy comes from lived experience and proven track record

Moral Imperative

Protecting children is a measure of societal values

Action Steps

Parents must educate, watch, and demand accountability