News | Internet Watch Foundation

As a precaution against the COVID-19 coronavirus, the Internet Watch Foundation will be operating at a reduced capacity. We provide a vital service for the public and are committed to staying open but there is likely to be a delay responding to reports, emails and calls. People can still report child sexual abuse imagery as normal here.

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The National Crime Agency (NCA) has revealed it believes there are a minimum 300,000 individuals in the UK posing a sexual threat to children, either through physical “contact” abuse or online.

‘Terrifying escalation’ in battle to keep children safe online as new figures reveal 300,000 people in the UK could pose sexual threat to children

Fri 3 Apr 2020

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has revealed it believes there are a minimum of 300,000 individuals in the UK posing a sexual threat to children, either through physical “contact” abuse or online.

Analysts at the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) are preparing for an increase in public reporting of criminal material as a result of millions of people self-isolating at home.

Children may be at greater risk of grooming during coronavirus pandemic as IWF braces for spike in public reports

Fri 20 Mar 2020

Analysts at the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) are preparing for an increase in public reporting of criminal material as a result of millions of people self-isolating at home.

Despite travel bans, experts say there must be no delaying what could be a ‘significant’ move for children’s online safety.

‘Virtual’ launch of new Pakistan portal in response to Coronavirus restrictions

Thu 19 Mar 2020

Despite travel bans, experts say there must be no delaying what could be a ‘significant’ move for children’s online safety.

Picture mishap Arron Crascall

‘Something’s not right!’ Two well-known faces & one creative approach to engage with young people on the sensitive issue of online child sexual abuse

Fri 13 Mar 2020

We teamed up with comedian Arron Crascall, football YouTuber Eman Sv2 and our partner the victim-support charity the Marie Collins Foundation to raise awareness of the important issue of child sexual abuse imagery online via social media.

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) today (12 March) published its report into the growing problem of “online-facilitated child sexual abuse”.

IWF 'at the heart' of national response to fighting indecent images of children, report says

Thu 12 Mar 2020

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) today (12 March) published its report into the growing problem of “online-facilitated child sexual abuse”.

IWF CEO Susie Hargreaves OBE, and founding member of the WePROTECT Board

IWF welcomes new measures to keep children safe from sexual predators on the internet

Thu 5 Mar 2020

The Voluntary Principles to Counter Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse are a set of 11 actions tech firms should take to ensure children are not sexually exploited on their platforms.

Home Office Minister Victoria Atkins (left) with IWF CEO Susie Hargreaves

Government investment could fund AI to help in fight against online child sexual abuse material

Thu 27 Feb 2020

The Internet Watch Foundation welcomes the Government’s commitment to ‘upgrade’ a database in a bid to tackle online child sexual abuse material.

(L-R) Will Gardner, Susie Hargreaves, and David Wright from the UK Safer Internet Centre

Government praises Safer Internet Day and pledges to work with Safer Internet Centre

Thu 13 Feb 2020

Digital Minister Matt Warman paid tribute to the event which took place on Tuesday.

The Internet Watch Foundation has welcomed moves to help protect children online.

IWF welcomes online protections as MP says there could be up to 90 online sexual offences against children every day

Thu 13 Feb 2020

The Internet Watch Foundation has welcomed moves to help protect children online.