Campaign launches in Plymouth to tackle people viewing sexual images of children
'Stop It Now!' aims to reach people at risk of offending to get support
Last updated 8th Feb 2022
A campaign is launching in Plymouth to stem the rise in the number of people viewing sexual images of children online and encourage those doing so to seek help to stop.
'Stop It Now!' aims to educate those worried about their own sexual thoughts, feelings and behaviour towards children.
It also informs those at risk of offending, either online or offline of the confidential help available to stop their illegal behaviour.
The campaign in Plymouth features a series of short clips which will be shared across the city’s social media networks, as well as targeted advertising which aim to get people to question their own thoughts and behaviours.
In their 2021 threat assessment, the National Crime Agency estimated between 550,000 and 850,000 people in the UK pose a sexual risk to children, both online and offline, with evidence suggesting the problem escalated during lockdown.
The campaign promotes the Stop It Now! confidential helpline - 0808 1000 900 and website https://www.stopitnow.org.uk for people to read and understand what triggers their illegal behaviour and get support they need to tackle illegal behaviour.
Last year over 3,100 people from Devon sought help via the confidential hotline or self help website.
The helpline is run by trained advisors who are on-hand to explore with callers their thoughts and to work with them on an action plan to stop their behaviour.
Calls are free and confidential, unless identifying details are given and a child is at risk of harm or a crime has been committed.
Helpline advisors also explore with callers the possibility of any direct risk to children, including in the caller’s own family, to ensure these children are protected.
Donald Findlater, director of the Stop It Now! helpline, said: "Across the UK, including in Plymouth and the rest of Devon and Cornwall, there is a growing problem of people viewing and sharing sexual images of under 18s online.
"It is vital we all understand that viewing and sharing this material is illegal, that many of the images are of children being abused, and that those looking at or sharing them are causing harm and risk arrest, prosecution and being put on the sex offenders’ register.
"Most of the people looking at this illegal content aren’t the stereotypes that the public would expect – they are our friends, family, neighbours and colleagues.
"Some of them are just children themselves, but that doesn’t stop the behaviour from being illegal.
"Many of these individuals start out with an increasing adult legal pornography habit, but then begin looking for riskier and extreme material.
“No-one has to deal with it alone – we can help, just as we have helped tens of thousands of people in this position over recent years."
Donald Findlater - Stop It Now! Helpline
The campaign in Plymouth is being backed by Together for Childhood – a partnership of 45 organisations who work to prevent child sexual abuse.
Workforce training has been organised across the city and the partnership is encouraging employers to support the campaign by helping staff feel more confident to routinely share the information on help available.
The Stop It Now! helpline is run by The Lucy Faithfull Foundation, the only UK-wide child protection charity dedicated solely to preventing child sexual abuse.
Superintendent Jennifer Bristow from Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Child sexual abuse and exploitation has a terrible impact on victims and their families.
"It is important to understand that every image features a victim or victims experiencing sexual assault or abuse.
“We are working hard to keep children safe from abuse and exploitation and we ask that any person who is struggling with inappropriate thoughts towards children reach out to the Stop It Now! Helpline for support.
"During 2021, 431 cases of indecent images of children were investigated by specialist detectives in in online investigation team.
"The impact of this type of crime can be traumatic and life-changing, not only for the victims but also for the families and loved ones of perpetrators. So, if this issue affects you, please seek help."
Superintendent Jennifer Bristow - Devon and Cornwall Police
Councillor John Riley, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Safety said: "This campaign is part of the city’s Safer Streets 3 funding measures to address violence against women and girls.
"A key theme is to try to tackle the behaviour of people who may sexually harm. If we are serious about preventing sexual abuse we need to work in this space."
Cllr John Riley - Plymouth City Council