A politics of naming and sharing: One therapist's personal journey of traumatic grief, grooming, and sexual abuse in the workplace

Abstract

This paper provides insight into the experiences of a psychotherapist exploring societal issues within the workplace related to grooming and sexual abuse. It explores the process of adult grooming via theory and lived experience, also giving insight into the aftermath of disclosing and exposing the abuse, which incorporates the culture of victim blaming and grooming myths. Its aim is to raise awareness of adult grooming and abuse and to highlight how anybody can be vulnerable and susceptible to grooming, even those within the profession of psychotherapy. It concludes with the acknowledgment that recovery is possible.