Lesson one: Analyzing Media Narratives on Grooming

Hello and welcome back to our course, “Understanding Sexual Grooming and Cross-Generational Sexual Relationships.” So far, we have explored advocacy strategies, policy engagement, and case studies that highlight real-world efforts to combat sexual grooming. Now, we shift our focus to the media—one of the most powerful tools for shaping public perception and awareness.

Today, we begin Module 2, lesson 1; Media Representation and Ethical Storytelling, where we will critically examine how grooming is portrayed in the media. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to identify common media narratives around grooming, assess their impact on public understanding, and recognize how media can be used either as a tool for awareness or a vehicle for misinformation.

The media has the power to influence how society perceives grooming, survivors, and perpetrators. News reports, films, social media discussions, and even casual entertainment often define the way people think about these issues. In some cases, the media raises awareness by exposing perpetrators and advocating for justice. However, in other cases, it sensationalizes or distorts grooming, failing to fully explain the complexities involved. For example, reports often focus on extreme cases involving celebrities or high-profile individuals, which can make grooming seem like a distant issue rather than a widespread societal concern. At the same time, social media trends such as the normalization of “sugar daddy” culture can oftentimes blur the lines between consensual relationships and exploitation, creating dangerous misconceptions.

When analyzing media narratives, we often encounter recurring themes that shape public perception. Some of the most common include:

The Predator-Victim Stereotype: Media often depicts grooming as involving an older, powerful man preying on a much younger, helpless victim. While this does happen, grooming can also involve trusted family members, teachers, coaches, religious leaders, and even peers.

Blaming the Victim: In some narratives, the focus shifts from the perpetrator to the survivor. Headlines might suggest that a victim “willingly engaged” in the relationship or that they were “too naïve” to recognize the abuse. This dangerous framing minimizes the manipulative tactics used by groomers and places responsibility on the victim rather than the abuser.

Sensationalizing Grooming Cases: Some media outlets treat grooming cases as scandals rather than serious social issues. Instead of discussing the systemic failures that enable grooming, they focus on dramatic details or use language that fuels public outrage without offering solutions.

The Myth of “Bad Parenting” as the Sole Cause: While parental supervision is crucial, grooming is not simply a failure of parenting. Some media reports imply that victims only fall prey due to neglect, ignoring broader societal issues such as economic struggles, online exploitation, and lack of education about grooming tactics.

Romanticization of Cross-Generational Relationships: Certain media portrayals glamorize relationships with large age gaps, framing them as aspirational rather than exploitative. The “sugar daddy” and “sugar mommy” culture, particularly on social media and in reality TV, can distort how young people perceive power imbalances in relationships.

Beyond traditional news outlets, social media platforms play a critical role in shaping how grooming is understood. Hashtags, viral stories, and personal testimonials can bring awareness to hidden cases, but misinformation also spreads rapidly. For example, some social media discussions frame relationships with older partners as a financial strategy for economic survival rather than a form of exploitation. While financial struggles are real, this narrative ignores the emotional, physical, and psychological consequences of grooming.

Conversely, survivor-led movements like #MeToo and #ProtectOurGirls have shown the power of social media in breaking the silence, holding perpetrators accountable, and pushing for policy change.

Understanding how grooming is framed in the media is crucial for shaping effective advocacy campaigns. If harmful narratives dominate public discussions, it becomes harder to pass protective policies, support survivors, and educate communities about the real dangers of grooming.

As advocates, our role is to:

• Identify misleading media portrayals and correct them with facts.

• Encourage responsible reporting that prioritizes survivor protection.

• Leverage media for positive change, using it to spread awareness and push for stronger legal protections.

Now that we’ve examined media narratives, our next lesson will focus on Ethical Considerations in Reporting Cases. We’ll explore how journalists, activists, and organizations can tell survivor stories without exploitation, sensationalism, or harm.

Before that, take some time to analyze media reports in your country. Look at how grooming cases are framed in the news or on social media. Are they accurate? Are they biased? Your observations will help prepare you for our next discussion.

Thank you for engaging with this lesson. See you in the next one!