New report reveals many sexual abusers willing to seek help
A report published by Stop it Now! UK and Ireland reveals that 45% of calls to its Helpline are from people concerned about their own sexual thoughts, feelings and behaviours towards children. A further 35% of calls are from friends and family concerned about the sexual behaviour of someone close to them.The first report on the Stop it Now! Helpline highlights key findings of groundbreaking work carried out by the Helpline over three years (2002-2005), and concludes that a radical review is needed of how child sexual abuse is portrayed and tackled in our communities.
The Internet Watch Foundation supports the work of Stop It Now! and welcomes their report. Tink Palmer of Stop It Now! is a member of the IWF Board of Trustees.
Operation of the confidential Freephone Helpline commenced in June 2002.
It is aimed at:
- Men and women worried about their own sexual thoughts, feelings and behaviours towards children
- Men and women worried about the sexual attitudes and behaviour of someone close to them
- Parents and carers worried about the sexual behaviour of a child or young person
Key findings for the period June 2002- May 2005:
- Total number of calls - 4013; total number of callers – 2076.
- Total number of calls made by abusers and potential abusers concerned about themselves – 1804. This represents 45% of all calls to the Helpline. 676 (16%) of these calls were concerned with the misuse of the Internet.
- Total number of calls made by friends and family concerned about another adult’s behaviour – 1190. This represented 30% of total calls.
- Total number of calls from parents, carers and other adults concerned about a child or young persons behaviour – 204. This represented 5% of all calls.
Calls by abusers and potential abusers (not related to Internet concerns)
Abusers and potential abusers call the Helpline in ever increasing numbers. The majority are concerned about their sexual thoughts and behaviour towards a child within their own family. The Helpline assists them to identify one or more steps they can take to manage their thoughts and to ensure immediate and future safety of the child.
Calls made by Internet offenders and potential Internet offenders
Over the three years the Helpline has experienced a dramatic increase in calls concerning the misuse of the Internet to view child pornography or to sexually groom children. Those concerned about their own behaviour are often desperate to escape what they see as an addiction. Their family and friends are also desperate to establish the likelihood of immediate risk to children within the family and to find a way of restoring trust in the future.
Calls made by family and friends
The most typical family or friend caller is a female concerned about the sexual attitudes or behaviour of her partner or child. The Helpline assists her to judge the nature and extent of risk and offers ongoing support in taking steps to keep her own and other children safe.
Call for action
“The scale of the problem of the sexual abuse of children is such that a major rethink
of policy is needed – with greater emphasis on prevention and early intervention.”
Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2004
Baroness Valerie Howarth of Breckland, OBE says:
“It is extremely difficult for people to recognise that their own behaviour or that of someone very close to them may be sexually abusive. It is a mark of true success that so many people have felt able to seek and receive advice through the Stop it
Now! Helpline.”
Donald Findlater, Deputy Director of The Lucy Faithfull Foundation and Manager of the Stop it Now! Helpline says:
“Over the past three years we have learned that adults will call and get help to prevent the sexual abuse of a child. This includes those worried about their own sexual thoughts or behaviour towards children, as well as their loved ones.”
Tink Palmer of Stop it Now! UK & Ireland says:
“The current public climate discourages reporting, maintains silence and disables members of the community from seeking help or acting to protect children from abuse. Stop it Now! gives adults the information they need to prevent child sexual abuse. The Stop it Now! Helpline supports these adults to take protective action, often in circumstances unknown to police or social services.”
End.
PRESS INTERVIEWS
Donald Findlater, Manager of the Stop it Now! Helpline, is available for interview on
Monday 5th June and Tuesday 6th June.
Tink Palmer, Director of Stop it Now! UK and Ireland, is available for interview on Monday 5th June, and on Tuesday 6th June.
Baroness Valerie Howarth is available for interview on Tuesday 6th June.
To arrange an interview with any of the above, contact: 07967 104682
Created: Tue, June 6th, 2006 | Last Modified: Tue, October 24th, 2006
