New IWF Board Members
The Internet Watch Foundation is pleased to announce four new members of their Board: Christine Atkinson, Michele Elliot, Tink Palmer and Ian Walden.
From 1 January 2004 IWF will be controlled by a single Board of 10 members, comprising six non-industry members, three industry members, and an independent Chair.
The non-industry members are chosen by an open selection procedure managed by a sub-committee of the Board comprising the Chair, representation from both non-industry and industry Board membership, and an independent person from outside the Board. The industry members will be chosen by the Funding Council by a procedure to be determined by the Council.
All the new Board members are specialists in their field, selected for their relevant experience, knowledge and skills within the Child Protection, Internet Safety, Legal & Technology issues and Policy & Practice Development.
Christine Atkinson
Chris is currently the NSPCC Policy Advisor on Child Protection.
Chris is currently the NSPCC Policy Advisor on Child Protection.
Chris, a qualified social worker, has over 20 years experience in child protection policy. At NSPCC, Chris's responsibilities cover child protection policy in relation to adult sex offenders, Internet safety, safe open spaces and domestic violence. Prior to NSPCC Chris worked for Save the Children in West Africa, developing closer relationships between social workers in the United Kingdom and West Africa on child protection issues including private fostering. Chris was a member of the Home Office Steering group on the Review of Sexual Offences which led to the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Chris is also a member of the Home Office Task Force for Child Protection and the Internet and member of the Stop it Now! UK/ Ireland Steering Group. Chris has commissioned a number of NSPCC research studies including "Megan's Law" and issues relating to children and young people who display sexually harmful behaviour. She also writes NSPCC leaflets for parents and children on child protection issues.
Michele Elliott
Michele Elliott is the Founder and Director of the children’s charity Kidscape.
Michele is a teacher, psychologist, school governor and author of over 20 books (translated into 15 languages) on preventing child abuse, female sexual abuse of children, bullying, parenting and other issues for adults, as well as books for children. Set-up in 1984, Kidscape was the first nation-wide prevention programme for children dealing with personal safety and was chosen by The Charity Time as Charity of the Year in September 2000. Michele has served as a member of the Children’s Social Policy Group, the Professional Association of Nursery Nurses Working Group, the Honorary Council of the NSPCC, The National Toy Council, The British Board of Film Classification Video Consultative, The Nuffield Foundation Family and Law Committee, ChildLine Council, amongst others.
Tink Palmer
Tink Palmer’s most recent role is Principal Policy & Practice Officer for Child Sexual Exploitation at Barnardo’s.
Within her role at Barnardo’s, Tink is responsible for raising awareness, developing strategy & policies internally & externally on the sexual abuse & exploitation of children. Tink has worked in the social services arena for over 30 years. She has extensive childcare training & skills and has presented at numerous conferences & workshops nationally & internationally, specifically on the topic of Child Sexual Abuse, in its widest context and abuse of children via the internet and modern technology. Tink has been involved in several child care & protection reports & publications and is a media veteran.
Ian Walden
Ian is the Head of the Institute of Computer and Communications Law in the Centre for Commercial Law Studies, at Queen Mary University of London and is a consultant to the law firm Baker & McKenzie.
Ian has over 17 years of experience in both academia and legal practice and has published widely in the field of law and technology. He regularly lectures on all aspects of technology law, and has been involved in professional advisory & consultancy work for commercial bodies, national governments and international organisations. He has appeared on television as a legal expert. Ian is a member of several committees and advisory boards, including the Foundation for Information Policy Research. Ian has a keen interest in applying his knowledge and experience of law & technology to the area of child protection in an Internet environment.
Roger Darlington, IWF Chairman said:
“"I am delighted to welcome to the IWF Board four such talented and experienced colleagues who bring a wealth of knowledge about the use and abuse of the Internet. They will strengthen our ability and determination to remove child abuse images from all corners of cyberspace and make the Internet the safest possible place for children and all users".
For more information see:
Created: Tue, January 20th, 2004 | Last Modified: Thu, September 30th, 2004
