Editors note: Anyone who suspects child abuse or sexual abuse can contact the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center in Fargo or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) for support.

FARGO — The popularity of shared online spaces between adults and children has increased instances of grooming, advocacy services say, with many cases going unreported.

Ashley Tripp, public educator with the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center in Fargo, said, “We know that most people who are groomed in-person are groomed by somebody that they know. When it comes to online, that's the scary part — we don't know who that is.”

Tripp said the center focuses on teaching what it means to be exploited or groomed. While grooming can take multiple forms, patterns often emerge.

“What we see the most is someb

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