A psychometric evaluation of the Sex Offense Grooming Assessment (SOGA): A new measure for forensic interviewers and clinicians.

PURPOSE: This study examines the psychometric properties of the Sex Offense Grooming Assessment (SOGA), a new measure assessing sexual grooming of children. METHODS: Following pilot testing with individuals who committed sexual harm (Masked for Review, 2023), the SOGA was revised and administered to 73 therapists in the United States, assessing 171 adult clients who had sexually harmed 415 children (N = 171). RESULTS: Psychometric analysis supported a reliable 39-item instrument with six subscales: (1) Sexual Normalization, (2) Coercion, Threats, and Force, (3) Online/Technology-Assisted Grooming, (4) Desensitization and Deception, (5) Bribery, and (6) Exploitation of Environment and Relationships. Redundant items from the pilot study were removed, resulting in a more efficient and user-friendly measure while maintaining comprehensive coverage of grooming strategies. DISCUSSION: The SOGA provides a reliable tool for forensic interviewers and mental health clinicians to assess grooming behaviors in individuals who have caused sexual harm. By systematically identifying key grooming strategies, this measure enhances clinical assessments, risk evaluations, and interventions aimed at preventing further harm. Its standardized approach also supports research efforts to better understand the nuances of sexual grooming, contributing to the current body of knowledge in forensic and therapeutic settings. PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT: The SOGA offers forensic interviewers and evaluators an empirically supported measure to identify grooming strategies. By capturing both offline and online tactics, it enhances accuracy in risk assessments, informs protective decision-making, and supports prevention of further sexual harm.