Child abuse images helpline sees major rise in number of calls
More than 160,000 people contacted the helpline in 2021
Last updated 1st Mar 2022
A helpline set up to help stop people looking at child abuse images has had double the amount of people contacting them last year.
A total of 165,225 people contacted Stop It Now! by phone or online with concerns about their own sexual thoughts, feelings and behaviour towards children in 2021, up from 79,868 the previous year.
This included 2,714 users of MindGeek sites, the company which owns one of the biggest adult websites in the world , who visited the helpline website after receiving a warning about searching for sexual images of under-18s.
Those seeking help, noticed that increased isolation, unemployment and a rise in the amount of pornography had a major impact on their offence.
Offenders 'don't conform to the stereotypes'
Donald Findlater, director of the Stop It Now! helpline, said:
"Mostly, the tens of thousands of people in the UK viewing sexual images of children online don't conform to the stereotypes - they are our friends, family, neighbours and colleagues.
"Many of the people contacting our helpline started out simply looking on mainstream adult pornography sites.
"Some don't know the law and need it spelling out. A few are struggling with a long-standing sexual interest in children and think that looking at 'only pictures' is a way of managing that interest.
Michael Sheath, an expert in child sexual abuse prevention for the helpline, also said:
"There are a lot of stereotypes when it comes to what a typical offender looks like, but the people we speak with aren't always who you would expect.
"Often they're everyday people, whose feelings of isolation, stress and general uncertainty, over the last year in particular, has led them down a dark path.
"We're currently seeing a rise in the number of young men seeking help, typically following habitual pornography consumption which has, over time, led them to seek illegal content online.
"Recognising those triggers and warning signs, and reaching out for help, can mean that offending is prevented."
The Stop it Now! Helpline is on 0808 1000 900 or on their website.
Online self-help & confidential Stop It Now! helpline for anyone worried about child sexual abuse, including their own thoughts or behaviour