Recognize Abuser Mindsets and Grooming Tactics

Learn to identify potential abusers and their tactics to protect children effectively.

Spot Early Warning Signs

Understand the signs in both children and adults, enabling proactive intervention.

Respond Confidently to Suspicious Situations

Develop the skills to react promptly and effectively when faced with potential abuse scenarios.

About the Course

Most abuse doesn’t begin with violence it begins with trust. Across homes, schools, churches, and youth programs, well-meaning adults miss early warning signs of grooming because offenders don’t look dangerous they look helpful, kind, and devoted. These subtle patterns hide in plain sight until it’s too late. Every year, thousands of children are abused by someone they knew and trusted—coaches, volunteers, relatives, even peers. The real tragedy isn’t just what happens to the child—it’s that most of these situations could have been prevented if adults had the knowledge and confidence to intervene early. When we don’t talk about grooming, we unknowingly create silence where predators thrive. But when adults are trained, empowered, and equipped, that silence breaks—and safety begins. Solution Behind the Smile from PPE Kids is a foundational prevention course that empowers adults to recognize grooming behavior, redirect risky interactions, and respond calmly and confidently when a child discloses. Through real-world scenarios, offender and survivor insights, and practical policy-based tools, you’ll learn how to: • Identify the seven stages of grooming and interrupt them before harm occurs. • Recognize behavioral red flags and apply safe, professional redirection language. • Create a culture of prevention and accountability in your church, school, or organization. • Respond to disclosures with calm, compassion, and immediate protective action. Every child deserves to be safe—and every adult can be trained to help protect them. This course helps you become that Safe Adult.

Meet Your Instructor

Osona “Sonni” Wilson Co-Founder, PPE Kids Lead author and curriculum developer. Sonni’s trauma-informed, research-based approach shaped every lesson, blending compassion with clarity to help adults recognize, prevent, and respond to child sexual abuse. Her vision ensures that every organization, regardless of budget, has access to life-saving prevention training. Dr. Cynthia Hatch, Ph.D. Psychologist & Trauma Specialist Dr. Hatch provided expert guidance to ensure all curriculum materials are trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, and emotionally safe for learners. Her review strengthened the accuracy, tone, and care within each module especially in sections addressing disclosure and survivor healing.

Course Curriculum

7 Chapters · 78 Lessons

  1. 1

    Orientation Module

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Who we are

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Learning Objectives

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      Section 0.1 Welcome & Purpose

    4. Why is this training needed Intro / Who is this for? Free preview
    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 0.2 Staying Safe During Training

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 0.3 Training Components

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Glossary of Key Terms (Foundational Track)

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Reflection Activity ✏️

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Offender Confessions/Comments

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      What to expect during this training

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Success Criteria

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Disclaimer

  2. 2

    Module One - Offender Mindset

    1. 1.0 Introduction Free preview
    2. (Included in full purchase)

      1. Learning Objectives

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      1.2 Offender Profiles & Mindsets - Video

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      1.2 Reflection Activity ✏️

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      1.3 Known & Trusted, Not Strangers

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      Offender Confessions/Comments - 1

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      1.4 Common Offender Mindsets

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      Offender Confession/Comments - 2

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      Reflection Activity ✏️

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      1.5: Finkelhor’s Precondition Model

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      Module One Quiz

  3. 3

    2.0 Victim Selection and Vulnerabilities

    1. 2.0 Introduction Free preview
    2. (Included in full purchase)

      2 Learning Objectives

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      2.1 How Offenders Select Victims and Offender Confession/Comments

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      2.1 Reflection Activity ✏️

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      2.2 Psychological and Social Vulnerabilities

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      2.2Reflection Activity ✏️

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      2.3 Children with Disabilities

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      2.3Reflection Activity ✏️

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      2.4 Family and Community Factors

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      Reflection Activity ✏️

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      2.5 How different offender types gain access to victims (methods, example, red flags, prevention)

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      2.5 Reflection Activity ✏️

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      Module Two Quiz

  4. 4

    3.0 Grooming the Victim

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      3.0 Introduction

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      3.0 Learning Objectives

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      3.1 The Seven Stages of Grooming

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      3.2 Online Grooming Tactics

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      3.3 Key Distinction from Offline Grooming

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      3.4 Behavioral Changes in the Victim

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      3.5 Manipulative Tactics by the Groomer

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      3.6 The “Romance” Trap for Preteens and Teens

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      Module Three Quiz

  5. 5

    4.0 Interrupting Grooming & Responding Safely

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      4.0 Introduction

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      4. Learning Objectives

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      4.1 Recognizing “Clusters” of Behaviors and Why they Matter

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      4.2 Examples of Concerning Clusters

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      4.3 Trust your Gut

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      4.5 Reflection Activity – Spotting Clusters of Behaviors✏️

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      4.6 Safe Interruption Strategies

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      4.6 b The Power of Strong Child Protection Policies

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      4.7 – General Principles of Safe Interruption

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      4.8a How to Handle Resistance Effectively

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      4. 9 Online Clusters of Grooming & Redirection

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      4.10 Safe Interruption Strategies for Online Grooming

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      4.11 - Bringing it all together - Intro

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      4.11 Bringing it all together - Fixated Offender

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      4.11 - Bringing it all together - Opportunistic Offender

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      4.11 Bringing It all Together Power-Based Offender

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      4.11 Bringing it all Together Situational Offender

    18. (Included in full purchase)

      4.11 Bringing it all together – Peer/Juvenile Offender

    19. (Included in full purchase)

      Module Four Quiz

  6. 6

    5.0 Responding When a Child Discloses & Being a Safe Adult

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      5.0 Introduction

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      5.1 What is a Safe Adult?

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      5.2 Understanding the Atypical nature of Disclosure

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      5.3 Facts About Disclosure

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      5.4 Barriers to Disclosure

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      5.5 The Role of the Safe Adult When a Child Discloses

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      5. 5a Safe vs. Unsafe Responses to victim’s disclosure or hints at a disclosure

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      5.6 Expert Insight – Dr. Cynthia Hatch on the Power and Precision of Words

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      5.7 When a Child Retracts Their Disclosure

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      5.8 Reflection Prompt Activity – Becoming a Safe Adult ✏️

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      5.0 Quiz

  7. 7

    Module 6 Closing: Turning Awareness Into Action

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      6.1 Prevention Works

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      References

Take the First Step Towards Child Safety

Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to prevent child sexual abuse. Enroll now and make a difference in the lives of children and your community.

$197.00

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