Minnesota Finally Makes Child Grooming a Felony
For years, survivors, advocates, and child protection experts have said the same thing: grooming is not harmless behavior. It is not simply “crossing boundaries.” Nor poor judgment. It is often the first step in a deliberate process that predators use to gain access to children. Now, Minnesota has taken a major step forward. On May […]
Matthew Edward Pysher Charged in Federal Case Alleging Online Grooming and Interstate Travel
An 18-year-old man from Bangor, Pennsylvania, Matthew Edward Pysher, has been federally charged in a case in the Central District of California. Authorities allege he groomed a 13-year-old girl online through Discord, encouraged her to engage in acts of self-harm, and traveled across state lines to meet her at a California motel. According to […]
Shawn Bolz of “Bolz Ministries” | Sexual Abuse & Grooming Allegations
Multiple former employees of Shawn Bolz have accused him nonconsensual sexual exposure, grooming, sexual harassment, and sexual abuse while acting in a position of spiritual and professional authority. The alleged victims were members of his ministry team and spiritual mentees who, according to reports, relied on Bolz for housing, travel, employment, and spiritual mentorship. Shawn […]
Richard “Ricky” Brooks, Former Saladworks and Wendy’s Manager, Accused of Grooming Multiple Minors
Allegations Against Richard “Ricky” Brooks Richard Mark Brooks Jr., 33, of Freehold, NJ, is a former restaurant manager in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Known as “Ricky,” he has been charged in a criminal case involving allegations that he groomed multiple minor employees while working at Saladworks and Wendy’s locations, furnishing them with alcohol and drugs over […]
Former Teacher and Coach Matthan Timothy Lough Charged in Child Grooming Case
Image sources: Matthan Timothy Lough, courtesy of Mesquite Police Department. Christian Center of Mesquite, © Google, via Google Maps. Mesquite police have arrested Matthan Lough, a former teacher and volleyball coach, for the offense of child grooming following an investigation involving a minor at the Christian Center of Mesquite. Their investigation is ongoing. Arrest and […]
Minnesota Survivor Pushes for Stronger Grooming Laws and What Parents Need to Know to Protect Their Kids
In Minnesota, survivor Hannah LoPresto* is doing what every system should: shining a light on the gaps that allow predators to keep teaching. After coming forward about being groomed and sexually assaulted by her band director, LoPresto learned that because there was no criminal conviction he still held a valid teaching license. Now, she’s urging lawmakers to […]
California Takes Aim at Grooming in Schools
A Step Forward in Grooming Prevention What Parents & Survivors Need to Know Children spend most of their waking hours in school, and we entrust schools to keep them safe. But in recent years, we’ve seen too many headlines about teachers, coaches, and other trusted staff using their positions of power to groom and abuse […]
What Is Grooming in Sexual Abuse?
So, grooming is when a perpetrator gains trust from their victim. They want the victim to become comfortable with them. They want to make sure that a victim will keep secrets, and they just continue to push the boundaries of what is acceptable inappropriate behavior. They try to normalize just slowly. Sometimes it can be favors, you know, gifts that the perpetrator […]
The Grooming Process — How Sexual Predators Con You and Your Child
On This Page What Are The “Red Flags” With Grooming A Child? Other Potential Signs Of Grooming For Abuse Grooming Of Those Closest To The Victim Why Do Abusers Groom Their Victims? Who Is A Typical “Groomer”? Examples Of Grooming Behaviors Online Sexual Grooming Examples Of Grooming Behaviors Long-Term Effects Of Grooming How Can You […]
Geoffrey Matthews | 50 Child Sexual Abuse Charges
A former Bremen High School coach, teacher, and shuttle bus driver faces more than 50 criminal charges across two Georgia counties as court filings describe sexual abuse allegations spanning more than three decades. Geoffrey Brad Matthews is accused of sexually assaulting and grooming teenage students while working for Bremen City Schools. A separate Carroll County […]