Grooming strategies in German Protestant contexts: A qualitative analysis of survivors' experiences.

Sexual abuse (SA) of minors is an ongoing global problem. Analyzing possible grooming strategies might help in the prevention of SA. Though SA of minors in religious institutions has been a major research topic, within Germany and worldwide, research regarding Protestant settings is scarce. The aim of this study was to analyze grooming strategies in German Protestant settings. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 persons who reported having experienced SA in a German Protestant setting. Qualitative content analysis was conducted, following a deductive-inductive approach. Grooming strategies were sorted into nine main grooming categories with subcategories and one additional overarching category, marking the usage of religious concepts for grooming: (1) building a good reputation, (2) utilizing access to (vulnerable) persons, (3) creating opportunities for one-on-one contact, (4) isolating the child/adolescent, (5) building trust and dependencies, (6) desensitizing (slowly pushing boundaries), (7) directly preventing disclosure and (legal) consequences, (8) using power to enforce SA, (9) creating ambiguity. The present study deepens the understanding of grooming in Christian contexts, offering a uniquely structured and detailed analysis of Protestant settings. Its thematic approach highlights important grooming strategies making them more tangible and recognizable across Germany and beyond. These insights provide valuable practical guidance for training church leaders, staff, parents, as well as children and adolescents, strengthening protective measures against abuse.