This is a sample bill we are working to have a federal lawmaker sponsor, to finally establish a federal law that defines grooming for exploitation.

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Federal Grooming and Exploitation Prevention Act (GEPA) of 2025
 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the "Federal Grooming and Exploitation Prevention Act of 2025".
 

SECTION 2. PURPOSE AND FINDINGS

1. Grooming is a process by which a person builds trust, emotional connection, or dependency with another person, often a minor or vulnerable adult, with the intent to manipulate, exploit, abuse, or traffic them.

2. Grooming may occur in-person or online and may involve psychological manipulation, deception, gift-giving, isolation, threats, or the gradual normalization of inappropriate behaviors.

3. Federal law currently lacks a clear, uniform definition of grooming with the intent to exploit or traffic individuals.

4. A uniform definition is necessary to protect vulnerable populations better, prosecute offenders, and educate the public about early warning signs of exploitation and trafficking.

 

SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS

“Grooming” is defined as a deliberate and strategic pattern of behaviors, actions, or communications, carried out in-person or through digital means, intended to establish trust, emotional dependency, or compliance in a person, for the ultimate purpose of facilitating sexual exploitation, abuse, or human trafficking.

 

A person engages in grooming when they:

1. Target a vulnerable individual (such as a minor, disabled person, or someone with unmet emotional, economic, or psychological needs).

2. Build a relationship of trust, secrecy, or emotional dependence through flattery, attention, gift-giving, false promises, or meeting unfulfilled needs.

3. Gradually normalize inappropriate or exploitative behavior, including desensitizing the person to sexual, controlling, or coercive conduct.

4. Isolate the victim by undermining their relationships with family, friends, or authority figures.

5. Manipulate, coerce, deceive, or threaten the victim to maintain control and ensure secrecy.

6. Condition the victim to comply with demands or expectations that may lead to commercial sexual exploitation, forced labor, criminal acts, or ongoing abuse.

 

Intent Element:

The conduct qualifies as grooming if it is done with the intent to exploit, abuse, or traffic the individual, whether or not the exploitation or trafficking act is completed.

Examples of Grooming Tactics Include:

• Expressing love or romantic interest to a minor or vulnerable adult

• Providing gifts, drugs, alcohol, or money

• Posing as a mentor, friend, romantic partner, or protector

• Testing boundaries with increasing invasiveness

• Instructing the victim to keep secrets from others

• Creating a sense of dependency or fear of abandonment

 

SECTION 4. FEDERAL OFFENSE – GROOMING WITH INTENT TO EXPLOIT OR TRAFFICK

It shall be unlawful for any individual to knowingly engage in grooming behavior, as defined in Section 3(a), with the intent to exploit, abuse, or traffic another person.

(a) Offense Elements:
 

A person commits an offense under this section if they:

1. Knowingly initiate or maintain a relationship with a person (including minors and vulnerable adults).

2. Engage in a pattern of conduct or communication that includes manipulation, deception, coercion, force, or isolation.

3. With the specific intent to exploit, abuse, or traffic that person in any form.

(b) Penalties:

1. First Offense: Up to 15 years imprisonment and/or fines up to $250,000.

2. Offense involving minors: Mandatory minimum of 25 years imprisonment; up to life imprisonment.

3. Use of technology/internet: Enhanced sentencing by up to 5 additional years.

4. Multiple victims: Enhanced sentencing of an additional 10 years.

 

SECTION 5. PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATION

The Attorney General shall:

1. Develop and fund public education campaigns on grooming prevention.

2. Coordinate with schools, youth organizations, and child protection services to identify grooming behaviors.

3. Establish national training standards for law enforcement and judicial personnel.

 

SECTION 6. RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL HOTLINE

The National Grooming Prevention Hotline (623-688-3214) shall be recognized as a national resource for reporting, education, and assistance in cases involving grooming, abuse, or trafficking.

  

SECTION 7. SEVERABILITY

If any provision of this Act is found to be unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of the Act shall remain in effect.

 

 

 

 

 

 Why Lawmakers Should Sponsor and Support This Bill

1. Closing a Dangerous Legal Gap

• Problem: Currently, federal law does not provide a clear, uniform definition of grooming, even though grooming is the first step in many cases of child sexual abuse and human trafficking.

• Solution: This bill establishes a federal definition and makes grooming with intent to exploit a standalone crime, allowing prosecutors to intervene before exploitation occurs.

2. Protecting Children and Vulnerable Adults

• Grooming is a deliberate, manipulative process that predators use to break down defenses and normalize abuse.

• By criminalizing grooming itself, this bill creates a preventive shield, safeguarding minors, disabled individuals, and vulnerable adults before they are trafficked or exploited.

3. Strong, Survivor-Centered Penalties

• First offense: Up to 15 years in prison.

• Minor victims: Mandatory minimum of 25 years, up to life.

• Technology use: Additional penalties for online grooming, addressing the #1 way predators reach kids today.

• These penalties send a clear deterrent message to offenders and prioritize survivor safety.

4. National Consistency and Public Awareness

• Establishes uniform national standards, preventing state-by-state loopholes.

• Funds public education campaigns, ensures schools and youth programs are trained, and equips law enforcement with consistent investigative tools.

5. Recognizing and Empowering Resources

• Officially recognizes the National Grooming Prevention Hotline (623-688-3214) as a federal resource for reporting and education.

• Provides survivors, families, and communities with a trusted, accessible lifeline for prevention and response.

6. Survivor and Community Trust

• Survivors of grooming and trafficking have called for stronger protections and earlier interventions.

• Supporting this bill shows Congress is listening to survivors and prioritizing prevention, not just punishment after the fact.

Key Message to Lawmakers:
This bill saves children before they are trafficked, exploited, or abused. By defining grooming, making it a federal offense, imposing strong penalties, and funding education, Congress can close a dangerous gap in federal law and protect the most vulnerable.