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Cited by 55Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual OffendingSexual Assault and Victimization StudiesCrime Patterns and Interventions

A self-regulation model of sexual grooming

Elliott, Ian A.·2017·Trauma, Violence, & Abuse
DOI 10.1177/1524838015591573
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Abstract

A preparatory process is widely accepted to be a common feature in the perpetration of sexual offenses. Numerous commentators, however, have documented the difficulties in defining and understanding this process, given its transient nature and its specificity to this one form of criminal behavior. This theoretical review aims to provide a universal model of a grooming process for the achievement of illicit or illegal goals in which achievement requires the compliance or submission of another individual—one that can be applied both to the sexual offending process and beyond. First, an evaluation of three process models of grooming is conducted. Second, using a process of theory knitting, an integrated universal model of illicit grooming is developed. This model unites salient elements of the previous models while seeking to address their limitations. It is founded in control theory and self-regulation approaches to behavior, assumes a goal-directed protagonist, and comprises two distinct phases, namely, (1) a potentiality phase of rapport-building, incentivization, disinhibition, and security-management and (2) a disclosure phase in which goal-relevant information is introduced in a systematic and controlled manner in order to desensitize the target. Finally, the theoretical quality of the model is appraised, and its clinical implications are discussed.

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Crossref · 10.1177/1524838015591573

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5 of 5 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • According to Control Theory, behavior is continuously regulated to achieve a desired outcome, which supports Elliott's Self-Regulation Model and suggests that strategies identified as part of the potentiality stage are unlikely to be universal.

    “According to Control Theory (Carver & Scheier, 1982), behavior is continuously regulated in order to achieve a desired outcome, which further supports Elliott's (2017) Self-Regulation Model, and suggests that strategies identified as part of the potentiality stage are unlikely to be universal.”

    From Unraveling the Complexities of Offender Strategies as Part of Online Sexual Grooming and Technology-Assisted Child Sexual Abuse: A Systematic Review (2026) · cites this paper as Elliott, 2017

  • Sexual grooming in offline and online contexts is comprised of a complex bundle of manipulative and/or deceptive tactics and strategies employed by individuals with the aim to facilitate sexual victimization of minors, prepare their future victims for the impending sexual abuse, and prevent detection.

    “Typically, sexual grooming in offline and online contexts is comprised of a complex bundle of manipulative and/or deceptive tactics and strategies employed by individuals (but see Broome et al., 2024 for a critical discussion) with the aim to facilitate sexual victimization of minors, prepare their future victims for the impending sexual abuse, and prevent detection (Craven et al., 2006; Elliott,”

    From 3.2 Sexual Online Grooming of Children – A Short Overview of the Offender Literature (2025) · cites this paper as Elliott, 2017

  • Removing the first and last stages should increase the distinctiveness of the grooming definition by focusing on the core sexual grooming activities of maximizing victim potentiality and careful disclosure of the offender's ultimate sexual intentions.

    “Removing these stages should increase the distinctiveness of the grooming definition by focusing on the core sexual grooming activities of a) maximizing victim potentiality and b) careful disclosure of the offender's ultimate sexual intentions (Elliott, 2017).”

    From 3.2 Sexual Online Grooming of Children – A Short Overview of the Offender Literature (2025) · cites this paper as Elliott, 2017

  • Following Elliott's recommendation, the first and the last stage in Winters, Kaylor et al.'s (2022) five-stage model might be considered irrelevant.

    “Following this important recommendation, the first and the last stage in Winters, Kaylor et al.'s (2022) five-stage model might be considered irrelevant.”

    From 3.2 Sexual Online Grooming of Children – A Short Overview of the Offender Literature (2025) · cites this paper as Elliott, 2017

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Authors
Elliott, I. A.
Affiliations
University of Massachusetts Lowell (US)
Corresponding author
Elliott, Ian A.
ORCID
Elliott, Ian A.
Venue
Trauma, Violence, & Abuse
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2016-06-23
Volume
18
Issue
1
Pages
83-97
ISSN
  • 1524-8380 (ISSN-L)
  • 1552-8324
DOI
10.1177/1524838015591573
OpenAlex
W2285122028
Cited by
55
References
5
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 4 · 2013: 1
FWCI
4.55
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
  • Trauma Violence & Abuse (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime Patterns and Interventions
Keywords
sexual grooming, sexual offending, self-regulation, control theory, rapport building, disinhibition, desensitization, disclosure, clinical implications
MeSH terms
Self-Control, Adult, Child, Child Abuse, Sexual, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Models, Psychological, Sexual Behavior, Sex Offenses, Crime Victims

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