Peer-reviewed article

Innocence betrayed: The impact of grooming and family betrayal on trauma symptoms in adult survivors of child sexual abuse.

Molly R Wolf, Braden K Linn, Doyle K Pruitt, Tracy Leet · 24 Jan 2026

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationships between different forms of sexual grooming, emotional betrayal, and trauma symptoms among adult survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA). METHOD: An anonymous online retrospective survey was completed by 342 adult CSA survivors. Participants reported on three types of grooming methods used by perpetrators (Verbal Coercion, Threats/Violence, and Drugs/Alcohol) and two types of emotional betrayal (Perpetrator Betrayal and Family Betrayal). Path analysis was conducted to examine the direct and indirect effects of grooming types on trauma symptoms through both forms of betrayal. RESULTS: Grooming that involved Threats and/or Violence was significantly associated with higher levels of Family Betrayal (β = 0.32, p < .001), which in turn predicted greater trauma symptom severity in adulthood (β = 0.41, p < .001). In contrast, Perpetrator Betrayal was not a significant mediator (p = .12). CONCLUSION: Survivors who felt betrayed by caregivers during or after CSA exhibited more severe trauma symptoms later in life. This finding suggests that the breach of safety and trust within the caregiving environment may exert a deeper and more enduring influence on psychological functioning than the betrayal by the perpetrator alone. Institutional Review Board (IRB Approval # 00003128).