Laws relating to the work of IWF
The Internet Watch Foundation’s remit covers four types of internet content:
- Child sexual abuse content* hosted anywhere in the world
- Criminally obscene adult content hosted in the UK
- Incitement to racial hatred content hosted in the UK
- Non-photographic child sexual abuse images hosted in the UK
Legislation relating to child sexual abuse content
- Protection of Children Act 1978 (England and Wales)
- Civic Government Act, 1982 (Scotland)
- Sexual Offences Act 2003: Key Changes (England and Wales)
- Memorandum of Understanding: Section 46 Sexual Offences Act 2003
- Police and Justice Act 2006
The IWF assesses content according to levels set by the Sentencing Guidelines Council.
Click here for the Crown Prosecution Service's guidance on indecent photographs of children.
Legislation relating to criminally obscene adult content
Click here for the Crown Prosecution Service's guidance on obscene publications.
Click here for the Crown Prosecution Service's guidance on extreme pornography.
Legislation relating to incitement to racial hatred content
Click here for the Crown Prosecution Service's guidance on Part III Public Order Act 1986 - Incitement to Racial Hatred.
Legislation relating to non-photographic child sexual abuse images
Click here for the Ministry of Justice guidance on the implementation of provisions in the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (Annex A regard Prohibited Images of Children).
Directive applicable to the liability of Internet Service Providers
*The IWF uses the term child sexual abuse content to accurately reflect the gravity of the images we deal with. Please note that "child pornography", "child porn" and "kiddie porn" are not acceptable terms. The use of such language acts to legitimise images which are not pornography, rather, they are permanent records of children being sexually exploited and as such should be referred to as child sexual abuse images. If you see such content online please report them to the IWF.
