A helpline for people concerned about their own sexual feelings towards children says the number of calls its has received has doubled.

Stop It Now! is an anonymous helpline and website which tries to help people understand the reasons for their illegal behaviour and how to get support.

The organisation says 94,342 people in the UK asked for help via its website and helpline last year - a 119% increase from the previous year, when more than 43,000 made contact.

Donald Findlater, director of the Stop It Now! helpline, said: "Tens of thousands of men in the UK are viewing and sharing sexual images of under 18s - these men are our friends, family, neighbours and colleagues.

"Most are adults, but a significant proportion are teenagers. Many of these men started viewing this illegal material as part of their adult pornography habit, somehow not noticing or perhaps caring that these were images of children being abused.


"Some don't know the law and need it spelling out.

"A few are struggling with a long-standing sexual interest in children and think that looking at 'only pictures' is a way of containing that interest.

"Whoever they are, they need to know this behaviour is illegal, that children are harmed by it, that serious consequences await those involved in it, but that our helpline and website give anonymous, and confidential support and advice to stop and stay stopped."

Children are being blackmailed into sending sexual images of themselves

The helpline was launched in 2002 and is run by The Lucy Faithfull Foundation, a charity dedicated to preventing child abuse.

Among those who have used the helpline is David, who was in his early 30s and found himself using adult chat sites where he was sent indecent images of children by someone he was speaking with.

He was arrested and police gave him the number for Stop It Now! He called every day for two weeks and said it was "Invaluable when i was in a dark place".

David served a prison sentence due to his offending and said he has lost friends, has his devices monitored and is limited in the jobs he can do.

However, he said his family had stuck by him and Stop It Now! had helped him "understand the consequences of what I'd done and also helped me work out what I needed to change to make sure I don't re-offend".

"I'd urge anyone worried about what they're doing to get help before it's too late."

According to police, the viewing of child pornography is a growing problem.

In 2018, the National Crime Agency estimated that 80,000 people in the UK posed a sexual threat to children online and police forces are arresting around 520 people a month for illegal online behaviour.

Image: The helpline says callers can remain anonymous and family and friends can also call for advice

Chief Constable Simon Bailey, the National Police Chief's Council lead on child protection, said anyone having inappropriate thoughts about children had two options: get help or expect a visit from the police.

He added: "Accessing these images is not a victimless crime and viewing them creates more demand for these appalling offences.

"We are arresting more offenders than ever before - at least 500 people a month - and our tools for investigating and tracking down those responsible are the best they have ever been.

"The consequences of being caught are huge and include losing your job, your family life, being imprisoned and registered as a sex offender."

Stop It Now! is also available to family or friends worried about offending and advisers always establish the possibility of any direct risk to ensure children remain protected.

Measures discussed with potential offenders include installing filters and controls on devices, ceasing use of the internet and pornography entirely, and getting support from others.

Calls remain confidential and anonymous, unless identifying details are given and a child is at risk of harm or a crime has been committed.

:: If you are worried about your thoughts or behaviour towards children or you're worried about the thoughts or behaviour of a relative or friend, you can contact Stop It Now! confidentially on 0808 1000 900 or go to stopitnow.org.uk