London records a 21% increase in calls from potential online child sex abusers
More than 330,000 people across the UK sought support from the Stop It Now helpline in 2025 over concerns about their own or someone else’s online sexual behaviour towards children, according to new charity data. The anonymous service says contacts by phone, email and webchat rose significantly over the year.
Stop it Now is an anonymous helpline aimed to support those who may offend.
According to the charity, there was a significant increase in people contacting the helpline via phone, email or the chat function regarding their own or someone else’s online sexual behaviour.
New data reveals more than 330,000 people across the UK are concerned about their own or someone else’s online sexual behaviour towards children sought support from the Stop It Now helpline in 2025.
Regarding the rise in calls, the helpline says child sexual abuse is something people are becoming more aware of and discussing in the media. The rise is “simply because the demand is there for a service which gives anonymous support to change behaviour, particularly online sexual offending against children.”
Dr. Alexandra Bailey, Head of Psychology at the Lucy Faithfull Foundation says there are many contributing factors that lead to people viewing these videos, including poor mental health and excessive viewing of pornographic content.
“Every day, our advisors speak to people whose pornography use has spiralled into something much more harmful. We know embarrassment can stop people from reaching out, but confidential help is available, ” Bailey says.
Regarding the people who are viewing this content, Stop It Now says there are misconceptions about who is committing online child sexual abuse offences.
Research from the charity shows that UK adults are most likely to imagine a man, someone middle-age and that’s a loner or socially marginalised as perpetrators.
Only one in four associated these offences with people under 25, despite young men being one of the groups most at risk of offending.
Bailey says “Many people who contact us don’t recognise themselves in the stereotypes they see in the media. They may be young, in relationships, or have families, and that can make it harder for them to acknowledge that their behaviour is becoming harmful.”
In their latest report, the NCVPP (National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection) announced there had been 122,768 CSAE (Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation) offences recorded in 2024 – a 6% increase from 2023. Offences with an online now representing 42% of all offences, rising 26% from 2023.
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HeadlineLondon records a 21% increase in calls from potential online child sex abusers
Short HeadlineStop It Now recorded 448 contacts in 2025, up from 370 in 2024
StandfirstMore than 330,000 people across the UK sought support from the Stop It Now helpline in 2025 over concerns about their own or someone else’s online sexual behaviour towards children, according to new charity data. The anonymous service says contacts by phone, email and webchat rose significantly over the year.
Stop it Now is an anonymous helpline aimed to support those who may offend.
According to the charity, there was a significant increase in people contacting the helpline via phone, email or the chat function regarding their own or someone else’s online sexual behaviour.
New data reveals more than 330,000 people across the UK are concerned about their own or someone else’s online sexual behaviour towards children sought support from the Stop It Now helpline in 2025.
Regarding the rise in calls, the helpline says child sexual abuse is something people are becoming more aware of and discussing in the media. The rise is “simply because the demand is there for a service which gives anonymous support to change behaviour, particularly online sexual offending against children.”
Dr. Alexandra Bailey, Head of Psychology at the Lucy Faithfull Foundation says there are many contributing factors that lead to people viewing these videos, including poor mental health and excessive viewing of pornographic content.
“Every day, our advisors speak to people whose pornography use has spiralled into something much more harmful. We know embarrassment can stop people from reaching out, but confidential help is available, ” Bailey says.
Regarding the people who are viewing this content, Stop It Now says there are misconceptions about who is committing online child sexual abuse offences.
Research from the charity shows that UK adults are most likely to imagine a man, someone middle-age and that’s a loner or socially marginalised as perpetrators.
Only one in four associated these offences with people under 25, despite young men being one of the groups most at risk of offending.
Bailey says “Many people who contact us don’t recognise themselves in the stereotypes they see in the media. They may be young, in relationships, or have families, and that can make it harder for them to acknowledge that their behaviour is becoming harmful.”
In their latest report, the NCVPP (National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection) announced there had been 122,768 CSAE (Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation) offences recorded in 2024 – a 6% increase from 2023. Offences with an online now representing 42% of all offences, rising 26% from 2023.
