Online sexual abuse has been a growing issue. It is important to try and support children and young people to understand the risks associated with online safety more generally however this page will collate how to respond to the more specific forms of sexual harm they are may experience online and or through use of technology.
It is important that you recognise that actions that lead to online harm still can constitute as being classified as significantly harmful under the Children Act 1989 and or be a criminal offence.
Harm that occurs online maybe less familiar for practitioners to manage or deal with but they must take action in the same way they would manage and deal with physical concerns.
If you need specialist advice and guidance contact the Professionals Online Safety Helpline - UK Safer Internet Centre is a great way to get advice and guidance.
CEOP Safety Centre - click here to make a report to CEOP. CEOP is part of the National Crime Agency and can investigate what is happening – with the assurance that the safety and wellbeing of your child is paramount at all times.
Report Remove | Childline -A tool to help young people under 18 in the UK to confidentially report sexual images and videos of themselves and remove them from the internet.
Report online issues to protect your child | Internet Matters - Guidance and links to report directly to the platform or app that the incident has occurred on.
The National Crime Agency's CEOP Education have issued an alert to all education settings across the UK in response to this threat on 29th April 2024. nca_financially_motivated_sexual_extortion_alert_education_eng.pdf (ceopeducation.co.uk)
The alerts signpost professionals to resources to: