A helpline for people concerned about their own sexual feelings towards children said the number of calls it received doubled in 2019.
Stop It Now! (SIN) [editor’s abbreviation], an anonymous helpline and website which tries to help people understand the reasons for their illegal behaviour and how to get support, said 94,342 people in the UK asked for help via its website and helpline.
It starts with porn...
Donald Findlater, SIN’s Director, said: ‘Tens of thousands of men in the UK are viewing and sharing sexual images of under-18s – these men are our friends, family, neighbours, and colleagues. Most are adults, but a significant proportion are teenagers. Many of these men started viewing this illegal material as part of their adult pornography habit, somehow not noticing or perhaps caring that these were images of children being abused. A few are struggling with a long-standing sexual interest in children and think that looking at ‘only pictures’ is a way of containing that interest.’
The helpline was launched in 2002 and is run by The Lucy Faithfull Foundation, a charity dedicated to preventing child abuse.
In 2018, the National Crime Agency estimated that 80,000 people in the UK posed a sexual threat to children online. Police forces are arresting around 520 people a month for illegal online behaviour.
The helpline says callers can remain anonymous and family and friends can also call for advice.
...and ends in prison
Chief Constable Simon Bailey, the National Police Chief’s Council lead on child protection, said anyone having inappropriate thoughts about children had two options: get help or expect a visit from the police. He added: ‘Accessing these images is not a victimless crime and viewing them creates more demand for these appalling offences. We are arresting more offenders than ever before – at least 500 people a month – and our tools for investigating and tracking down those responsible are the best they have ever been. The consequences of being caught are huge and include losing your job, your family life, being imprisoned and registered as a sex offender.’
Measures discussed with potential offenders include installing filters and controls on devices, ceasing use of the Internet and pornography entirely, and getting support from others.
Calls remain confidential and anonymous, unless identifying details are given and a child is at risk of harm or a crime has been committed.
