Insights from 23 years of our Stop It Now helpline
There are lots of stereotypes about how and why people sexually abuse children. But the sooner we strip away the stereotypes and understand how child sexual abuse actually happens, the safer children become.
Since 2002, we’ve supported almost 80,000 people through our anonymous Stop It Now helpline (0808 1000 900). It’s the largest of its kind in the world. We speak directly with people who are a risk to children and work with them to prevent abuse. We also speak to the family and friends of people worried about a loved one’s behaviour, as well as professionals, helping them take decisive action to protect children.
Today, we’re publishing our latest Faithfull Paper, the tenth in the series. It outlines what we see on the helpline, what we’ve learnt, and how we support the people who contact us. These are people worried about themselves, families, professionals, parents, and survivors. These conversations give us an informed understanding of how child sexual abuse actually happens. They indicate how much learning there still is to do, and how we all might need to keep adjusting our assumptions about child sexual abuse.
Everyone is capable of a positive and meaningful life, without harming children. But, because many people think that anyone who offends can’t be rehabilitated, policy-makers can be reluctant to invest in doing so.
Our experience has proved that people will get anonymous help to stop, when they know it is available.
Our helpline is there for as long as people need it. People often contact us for several years while they’re making positive changes to their lives. Through the helpline, we can support people to use our self-help modules, the Inform Plus and Engage Plus programmes, as well as giving one-to-one support.
Working with people worried about their own sexual thoughts or behaviour towards children is a clear way to prevent harm. It isn’t up to children to protect themselves. The sooner people at risk of offending get support, the sooner children are kept safe.
Most of the time, family members only find out about their loved one’s offending when police arrive.
Even though they have done nothing wrong, families of people who have offended often feel burdened by shame and stigma. Our research found post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and potential post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in families of people who offended. They are secondary victims and need specialist help. Our helpline is one of the few places they can go for support, and we’ve seen huge demand.
We help family members with their wellbeing and expert advice. Our Inform programme helps them navigate the devastating impact on their family. Our Family and Friends Forum provides a place for peer support.
Young people aged under 18 are responsible for at least a third of sexual offences in the UK.
We have seen more young people contact us for support in recent years. We want to better understand the nature and scale of harmful sexual behaviour amongst children and young people. We want to ensure adequate investment is made, in prevention and responses that are child-centred and evidence-based.
In 2023, we launched Shore, a website for teenagers worried about harmful sexual behaviour from themselves or someone else. We also run Inform Young People, an educational programme for young people in trouble with the police, their school or college for inappropriate use of technology. The programme aims to help young people stop the behaviour.
Often parents are unaware that their child is being harmed, because often children don’t tell.
It can be hard to spot warning signs, so it’s important that parents get education about what the risks are and how to respond. We are a safe space to discuss concerns and advise on what steps to take.
Everyone has a responsibility to safeguard children. It’s not just the parents who are in a position to spot concerns, it needs to be everyone around a child, including professionals.
The public expects everyone who works with children and families to have all the answers. We know that this isn’t always the case.
We have a number of services for professionals. We get helpline calls from people in paid and voluntary roles working with adults who pose a risk to children, families of people who have offended, and those working directly with children.
We explore the situation and agree on protective measures to take. We also offer emotional support for difficult decisions and the personal impact of the work.
Speaking directly to offenders and potential offenders, we see trends emerging in real time, which enables us to be part of innovative prevention.
As well as the rise in young people displaying harmful sexual behaviour, in recent years we have seen a rise in callers telling us about how AI is being used to abuse children. To respond, we’ve trained our staff, and started systematically recording how and when AI is used. We have shared data with law enforcement and tech companies, highlighted the dangers through media campaigns and updated our online material to make it clear that it is illegal and harmful.
To combat a rise in online grooming, we released the Spotlight film, the Engage Plus programme, dedicated self-help online modules, and professional training.
We will continue to adapt to provide innovative preventative help.
A more accurate understanding of child sexual abuse matters
Our Stop It Now helpline might seem controversial. Many people don’t think people who abuse can be stopped. They see only a sensationalised snapshot of child sexual abuse through the media.
When we examine the evidence about how child sexual abuse happens, what needs to be done becomes clear. It’s estimated that 500,000 children are sexually abused in the UK every year. We can stop this.
Accurate public attitudes and cultural perception are a big step forward. We’ll keep adjusting and sharing our understanding of how to stop child sexual abuse based on the evolving evidence we gather from the thousands of people who contact our Stop It Now helpline.
Find out more
Our anonymous Stop It Now helpline can support anyone with concerns about their own or someone else’s sexual thoughts or behaviour. If you need help with your family safety plan, get in touch.
Our Shore website has anonymous advice and information for teenagers worried about their own or a friend’s sexual behaviour.
Can you help us?
We are dedicated to supporting professionals and families in their efforts to keep children safe. You can be part of this mission too.
