Campaign to Combat Online Child Sexual Abuse Launches in Devon and Cornwall

In a move to address the escalating issue of online child sexual abuse, a coalition of organisations in Devon and Cornwall, including NHS Devon, Royal Devon University Healthcare Trust, and Devon and Cornwall Police, have partnered with the national helpline, Stop It Now, to launch a comprehensive campaign aimed at deterrence and support. This collaboration marks a significant effort to confront a disturbing trend that has seen nearly 218,000 people across the UK reach out to Stop It Now in 2023, seeking help for concerns related to sexual thoughts or behaviours towards children.

Stop It Now is a project of child protection charity, the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, which works exclusively to prevent child sexual abuse and is at the forefront of this campaign. With the distressing statistic that over 13,000 individuals from Devon and Cornwall alone have expressed concerns about online sexual behaviour towards children, the campaign seeks to raise awareness about the legality and consequences of viewing sexual images of minors. The campaign emphasises the availability of confidential assistance to those who wish to change their behaviour and prevent potential abuse.

Scheduled to run throughout March 2024, the campaign will utilise various platforms, including webinars, print, broadcast, and social media, to disseminate its message. A key focus is to inform the public that viewing child sexual images not only causes significant harm to the victims but also carries severe repercussions for the viewer, such as arrest, imprisonment, and loss of employment. However, the campaign also highlights the availability of support to prevent such actions before they occur.

The initiative follows a successful precedent, with previous campaigns leading to a significant increase in visits to the Stop It Now Get Help website, indicating a growing awareness and willingness to seek help. The collaboration of local agencies underscores a collective commitment to addressing and preventing child sexual abuse in the region.

Donald Findlater, Director of the Stop It Now helpline, highlighted the epidemic proportions of child sexual abuse, noting the importance of prevention starting within the community and home. The campaign not only aims to curb the demand for illegal content but also to provide a lifeline to those struggling with inappropriate thoughts or behaviours, offering a path towards prevention and recovery.

Supporting comments from local law enforcement and healthcare professionals further reinforce the message that the consumption of child sexual imagery fuels a cycle of abuse and harm. The campaign’s comprehensive approach, involving a wide range of partners, signifies a unified front against child sexual abuse, emphasising prevention, support, and the breaking of silence surrounding this critical issue.

As the campaign unfolds, it serves as a crucial reminder of the impact of collective action in combating online child sexual abuse, offering hope and support to those in need and safeguarding the well-being of children in Devon and Cornwall.