What kind of people do this? 

It’s often assumed that people who look at sexual images of children on the internet (‘children’ being anyone who is under 18 years of age) are somehow very different from the rest of society.

Newspapers, in particular, may refer to them as ‘monsters’ or ‘perverts’. This language is hard to understand for anyone who is trying to come to terms with such behaviour in a partner, child, parent or someone close to them. In reality, people who access or share (distribute) sexual images of children range from adolescents to pensioners and come from all kinds of backgrounds and ethnicities.

They include civil servants, politicians, entertainers and people in the media, those in the public sector, shop workers and tradesmen. The overwhelming majority of those arrested for accessing indecent images are male, so we refer to them as ‘he’; however, females also access them.

It’s important that we realise that people who look at sexual images of children are, in most ways, no different from anyone else, although they are committing a very serious crime; that way, we are better able to talk about the issue and not assume it’s just something that ‘happens to someone else’.

Other internet-related sexual offences against children include chat-room activity with other adult users of sexual images of children and chat room activity where users are in direct contact with children, including via the use of webcams.

Please visit Get Help or Get Support for extensive advice and information or call us for confidential advice on 0808 1000 900

What are indecent or illegal images of children online?

If you suspect or discover that someone you know is looking at illegal images of children (also known as indecent images) online, there is help and support available.

The term ‘indecent images of a child’ means a sexual image of a child (anyone under the age of 18). It includes:

- Nude or partially clothed children.
- Children sexually posing.
- Self-generated images by children (‘selfies’).
- Images depicting children engaging in both penetrative and non-penetrative sexual activity

This definition applies to still images, videos and pseudo-photographs (an image which appears to be a photograph and that may have been created by a computer).

This will be a difficult and confusing time for you but it is important that you make the right decisions to prevent illegal behaviour and protect children

What can I do?

Take time to make vital decisions…….

 - Do I report him to the police?

 - What does this mean for our relationship?

 - What do I say to the children/my friends….?

The discovery that someone close to us has been accessing sexual images of children online has been described by one partner as ‘being hit by a tsunami, such was its emotional and practical impact'.

Difficult and sometimes life-changing decisions need time for thought and reflection, often at a time when both are in short supply and when immediate and practical issues are often clamouring for attention. But you need not face this alone.

Talking to someone who understands and can help you make sense of what has happened can be a ‘life saver’.

Many aspects of the process of coming to terms with a loved one’s accessing of sexual images of children are related to the emotional fallout. However, some of the anxieties may be helped by seeking further information and advice.

If you are even slightly concerned that someone you love may be accessing sexual images of children online, you can call the Stop It Now! free and confidential helpline 0808 1000 900.  Our trained operators will listen to your concerns and offer information and support.

The helpline offers ongoing support and information to all adults who are concerned about their own thoughts or behaviour towards children, including illegal internet use, or who are concerned about an adult or child who is close to them

There are various ways to contact us - please visit Contact Stop It Now! Scotland which details how to contact us anonymously and confidentially

Dealing with the consequences of a loved one’s actions is a lengthy and difficult process and Stop It Now! is there to help.