Our CEO, Deborah Denis, appeared on Woman's Hour in light of Huw Edwards' sentencing to discuss what could have prevented his offending

It was a privilege to talk to Woman’s Hour about the wider issues raised by the case of Huw Edwards, the former broadcaster who is beginning a suspended six-month sentence for making indecent images of children.

Sadly, although Edwards’ story is shocking, it is not uncommon. Up and down the country, sentences similar to that received by Edwards are being handed out every day.

This must now raise the vital yet challenging question: what more can be done to stop this type of offending?

We work with those who pose a risk of sexual harm to divert them from offending, as well as with those who have caused harm, to prevent it from happening again. And we use insights gained from this work to inform and develop preventative initiatives.

There is help to stop, and we must make sure all those who need it know about it

Our Stop It Now helpline answers calls daily from people who, like Edwards, have viewed sexual images of children. We offer confidential and anonymous support to anyone concerned about their sexual thoughts or behaviour towards children. We also provide support to the families of those who have committed sexual offences against children, whose lives are torn apart by the discovery that a loved one has viewed or accessed this material.

Our experienced advisers give non-judgmental advice, and discuss the offending or concerning behaviour so that actions can be agreed with callers that protect children and prevent offending. We also have online self-help resources which people can work through in their own time, to address their own specific issues.

We must make it more acceptable for people to seek help when they need it

There are many people viewing sexual images of children who will not have even considered that help might be available to them. Those struggling with other issues such as gambling or alcohol will likely know that there are helplines available, or that they can talk to their GP. For many people troubled by sexual thoughts about children, however, there is a belief that this is so terrible, and so shameful that there could not be help for them. They are wrong – the help exists, and it works.

Whether through talking to our advisors, working through our online self-help modules or taking part in one of our face-to-face programmes, the people we work with tell us the support they receive is invaluable.

Can technology itself help stop online offending?

Simply put, YES.

Through our recent work with the Internet Watch Foundation and Aylo to implement a chatbot on the adult website Pornhub, we have proven that we can intervene effectively with people searching for illegal images. And we know people are attempting to access such material across the internet on search engines, social media platforms, file-sharing sites and more. Nowhere is left untouched.

A wider adoption of deterrence messaging by tech companies is one way to help individuals find the help that is available. Messaging is an easy, low-cost and effective way for tech companies to communicate to their users at the point of offending that their actions are illegal, harmful, and have consequences. But too few are implementing these messages.

Ofcom, the online safety regulator, is recommending the use of deterrence messaging in its illegal harms draft codes in certain circumstances. Many tech companies, including those we partner with, already deploy some sort of messaging. But there is more to do.

Our work in Project Intercept, including our chatbot, shows us that people can and do take notice of these messages and thousands every day click through from online warnings to our Stop It Now website. And importantly, these messages are addressing the issue before any harm has occurred, protecting potential victims, as well as deterring and confronting the potential offender.

How encryption enables offending

WhatsApp, the platform used by Edwards, is end-to-end encrypted, meaning that no one – not even WhatsApp – can see what is being sent and exchanged. For years tech companies have claimed that privacy is the cornerstone of modern communications – but this comes at a price. Offenders know they can use these platforms with impunity. While the tech companies continue to roll out end-to-end encryption with no real answer to how they will safeguard the millions of children who are victimised by the abuse material exchanging hands on these platforms every day, the abuse and the offending will continue. Tech companies MUST do more to stop this and find solutions to the offending which their technology is enabling.

Help following a conviction

Here at LFF, we also offer help to those who, like Edwards, have been convicted of online sexual offences against children. Our Inform Plus programme helps people stop viewing indecent images of children, while Engage Plus addresses online sexual communication with children. These programmes are designed to help participants understand their offending behaviour and find ways to manage their behaviour going forward so that they do not offend again.  

We also offer programmes to support the families of people who have offended online. We know that the impact of this type of offending can be devastating for families and we provide a safe, supportive and non-judgmental environment to share that impact.

Although Edwards will be attending a sex offender treatment programme, as reported widely by the media, it has come too late. There will be thousands of others watching his case who are also viewing or might be tempted to view, sexual images of children – for them, the choices are clear. Continue, and risk losing everything, or reach out to Stop It Now and get help to change.

Impact on victims and survivors

When I began my interview with Woman’s Hour, I spoke about the impact that this type of offending has on victims. For many, it can be life-long. Victims are re-traumatised by their inability to control the further sharing and distribution of the images of their abuse, and high-profile stories like that of Huw Edwards can also be triggering. We know, for example, that the NAPAC helpline saw a spike in calls after the following the sentencing.

No more victims

We work to ensure there are no more victims. We have proven that we can intervene early in offender pathways, before any harm has occurred – and we need to do more of it.