The National Crime Agency estimates that there are up to 830,000 adults in the UK that pose some degree of sexual risk to children, and last year the Internet Watch Foundation found more than 275,652 web pages containing images and videos of child sexual abuse. The impact on the children abused is lifelong, and their suffering is compounded every time someone shares or accesses these images and videos. It is known that the impact on the families of people arrested for offending is enormous.

The Lucy Faithfull Foundation has developed  a pioneering online tool that is designed to confront and redirect people searching for sexual images of children. Already operational on Pornhub UK, the chatbot has shown significant success in reducing searches for illegal material and directing people to our Stop It Now helpline and online self-help. The chatbot is the first of its kind in the world.

The chatbot is both a deterrent and a resource. When someone attempts to search for illegal content, the chatbot intervenes, issuing a warning and providing information about the potential consequences of their actions. Crucially, it also guides these people towards help and support to change their behaviour.

Read More about this innovative tool in the latest Faithfull Paper:‘Chatbots and Warning Messages - Innovations in the Fight Against Online Child Sexual Abuse’.