Agencies across the South West join forces to tackle online child abuse
Police officers, NHS staff and charities are working together throughout February
A new campaign aiming to tackle online child sexual abuse is being rolled out across the South West.
More than 30 agencies, including the NHS, local authorities, and police, are partnering with the national child protection charity Lucy Faithfull Foundation to deter offending and signpost people to confidential support services.
In 2025, over 23,000 people across the South West sought help from Stop It Now, either via its helpline or online self-help services - a 30% increase from 2024.
Focus of the campaign
The campaign addresses issues like viewing illegal sexual images of children and online grooming. It seeks to raise awareness of these crimes, promote early intervention, and provide anonymous support through the Stop It Now helpline.
The initiative features films from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation shared across social media platforms, webinars, and guidance specifically tailored for healthcare settings. .
Tom Squire, Head of Clinical Engagement at the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, said:
“As a national charity, we’re partnering with agencies like the police and NHS because every part of society has a role to play in the prevention of child sexual abuse.
“We're highlighting a hidden problem that goes on behind closed doors – the harm that people cause online, that maybe no one else in their life knows about.
“People who commit these offences come from all walks of life, and they can get to this dark place for many different reasons. This behaviour is illegal, it causes devastating harm to victims, and has grave consequences for you if you are caught - but there is confidential support to find a pathway out and change your behaviour.
“Contact the Stop It Now helpline to speak confidentially to expert advisors at 0808 1000 900 or www.stopitnow.org.uk . There’s no judgement, and no tracking, just anonymous support to change harmful behaviour online.”
Agencies supporting the campaign
Several South West agencies have expressed their support for the campaign.
Dr Rosie Luce, Assistant Director of Nursing (Safeguarding) at South West NHS England and NHS Improvement, said:
"The NHS across England is committed to preventing child sexual abuse, as well as to responding to the harm it causes, so we fully support this important campaign.
“By working with charities like the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, we can help make sure people know what support is available and how to access it. We want anyone engaging in harmful behaviour to recognise it for what it is, before they hurt themselves or someone else.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Sheon Sturland from Devon & Cornwall Police underscored the importance of early intervention.
“Our priority is to prevent harm, and officers and staff in our Neighbourhood Policing teams, Public Protection Unit and Paedophile Online Investigation Team work tirelessly towards this end.
“AI-generated sexual images of children have been in the news recently, and if you think they are not illegal and ‘don’t count,’ you are mistaken. They’re illegal child sexual abuse.
“Stop It Now provides confidential help to stop viewing these harmful materials and therefore a pathway out of this behaviour.”
Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Liz Hughes from Avon and Somerset Police highlighted collaborative effort as vital in addressing concerns.
"Protecting children and vulnerable people is a responsibility we all share. As the lead for Public Protection in Avon and Somerset Police, I see every day the power of policing, charities, public sector partners and families working together. No single agency can prevent harm alone – it is coordinated action that truly keeps people safe and helps prevent abuse before it happens."