The Lucy Faithfull Foundation responds to the government’s online harms white paper consultation

The government’s aim for the UK to be the safest place in the world to go online will soon be informed by the views of experts and the public. After publishing their online harms white paper in April, the government opened a consultation taking opinions from interested parties – including The Lucy Faithfull Foundation. 

Deborah Denis, director of fundraising and external relations at The Lucy Faithfull Foundation, said: “Our vision is a world in which children’s right to live free from abuse and exploitation becomes a reality – online as well as offline. We keep children safe by working to prevent adults and young people carrying out sexual harm, as well as working with families, professionals and the public to ensure they are as best placed as possible to protect children.  

“It’s positive to see that online child sexual abuse is the first issue noted in the white paper as a concern. However, it doesn’t do justice to the significance of the emotional and physical harm victims can sustain due to abuse – at the time and throughout their lives.

“Lots can be done to prevent child sexual abuse, but current approaches are often inadequate in scope, targeting and evaluation. They are also often dominated by interventions used only after offending or abuse has begun. We believe that preventing child sexual abuse is always preferable to responding to it. We’ve built up expert knowledge in how best to do this and hope that the government listens.” 

You can read our full response here.