The Use of Sexual Grooming by Attorneys in Court

Child sexual abuse (CSA) cases rely on attorneys, judges, and jurors having an accurate understanding of complex abuse dynamics, including sexual grooming. While sexual grooming is widely used in research and legal contexts, little is known about how attorneys understand and use the construct. This study examined attorneys' knowledge, perceptions, and utilization of sexual grooming in CSA cases. Fifty-one attorneys from 23 U.S. states completed an online survey. Attorneys viewed sexual grooming as useful (M = 8.82/10), with 88% having used it in their cases. Around half (55%) used expert testimony on the topic, which they rated as highly helpful (M = 9.08/10). Most attorneys learned about sexual grooming through professional trainings, and many expressed a need for additional expert witnesses and investigative evidence on sexual grooming. Sexual grooming is valued in CSA prosecution and thus, continued education, expert consultation, and use of current research are important.