Think before you speak: Why the misuse of language is a child protection issue

In 2021, global technology companies reported more than 29 million suspected instances of sexual images of children on their platforms, amounting to 85 million images and videos of child sexual abuse. On top of this, earlier this year, the Internet Watch Foundation revealed that since 2019, the number of webpages showing sexual abuse images and videos of children aged 7-10 has increased by 1058 per cent.  

We know that child sexual abuse is preventable, not inevitable. And that to effectively tackle it –  we must take many different approaches. Law enforcement, of course, is a vital part of the solution – in fact, the police response in the UK is seen as one of the most effective in the world. But we also know that law enforcement alone is not, and will not be the whole answer. As with all forms of sexual abuse – against adults or children, online or offline – the scale of abuse tells us we need a holistic approach; an approach that tackles the problem from all sides and at all stages.   

Here at The Lucy Faithfull Foundation, we work to protect children by intervening with those who do or might pose a sexual risk to children. This includes those tempted to look at sexual images of children online, or those who have already done so. We work with them to help them change – to stop and to stay stopped. For more than 20 years our confidential Stop It Now! helpline has provided this support, advice and guidance to anyone concerned about their own or someone else’s sexual thoughts or behaviour towards children. 

We are passionate about this approach, and it is a strategy that we know is working. But one barrier we see impacting our mission to protect children from online sexual abuse is the misuse of language. 

The public, including the media and politicians, might think that everyone who views sexual images of children online is sexually attracted to children and must therefore be a “paedophile”. This view is often reflected in the media, with journalists frequently referring to people who view sexual images of children online as “paedos” – this approach being particularly common in the tabloids. 

This misuse of language when describing online offending isolates those that do not have an innate sexual interest in children. Because they wouldn’t consider themselves a paedophile, they are unable to identify with the issue and do not recognise they need help.  

And while this may come as a surprise to some readers, the belief that all people who view sexual images of children have a sexual interest in children is incorrect.  

While some do, most do not. 

People who sexually offend online do not necessarily conform to stereotypes. They come from all backgrounds and walks of life. This is why, when society suggests all people who view sexual images of children are paedophiles, this prevents proper child protection and potentially puts more children at risk.  

Because for people to seek help, they must know that they need it, and know that is it available. 

In our experience, many of those we work with tell us that, rather than having a long-standing or innate sexual interest in children, problematic pornography habits were the pathway to their online offending.   

The nature of the internet and its many platforms means that it’s easier than ever to find more extreme types of pornography. For some people, this means pushing the boundaries into offending and viewing sexual images of children. It has long been known that “teens” and “barely legal” are two highly popular searches on adult content sites.  

On top of this, loved ones might not believe someone they care about could be viewing sexual images of children, because that person does not present as a ‘paedophile’. This might be because he (the majority are men) has a relationship or is married and has children, so they don’t come forward if they have concerns about their loved one’s behaviour online.  

So how do we solve this? We must encourage more inclusive and educational discussions around online child sexual abuse. Some people who offend online will be paedophiles, but many will have healthy adult relationships in their offline worlds and have escalated into online activity which does not reflect their offline sexual interests.  

This needs to be a wake-up call to those seeking underage sexual materials that what they are doing is illegal and has devastating impacts for the children involved. There are also huge consequences for those who offend including arrest, jail, job loss and family breakdown.  

Everyone needs to know the risks and what to do if they’re worried about their own or a loved one’s online behaviour and we work hard to make sure people have the information they need.  

We know we make a difference.  

We help thousands of men to address their online behaviour every year. To stop and to stay stopped. Last year, more than 270,000 people sought advice or support via our online self-help or confidential Stop It Now! helpline. We will help the person on the other end of the line express their concerns and suggest practical support that will ultimately help keep children safe. 

We know this is a difficult conversation, but it is one we must all have if we are going to win the fight against online child sexual abuse.  

Dr Alexandra Bailey is a senior practitioner with The Lucy Faithfull Foundation, a registered forensic psychologist and a lecturer at Goldsmiths.