14/04/2015

137% Increase In Webpages Removed For Child Abuse Images - Report

The latest report from the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has revealed a 137% increase in the number of webpages depicting child sexual abuse removed in 2014.

According to their annual report, the UK-based charity helped remove 31,266 webpages last year, compared to 13,182 in 2013.

The charity, which also increased its number of Internet Content Analysts last year, now actively seeks out child abuse imagery online. They then identify what country the website is based, inform local authorities of the violation, and "repeatedly follow-up" until the website is removed.

IWF CEO Susie Hargreaves, said: "Our ability to actively seek out child sexual abuse imagery created a significant step-change in the effectiveness of the IWF.

"We have a mission to protect victims of sexual abuse from having their images repeatedly viewed. The more content we can identify and work with others to get removed, the bigger the benefit to those victims.

"We are also here to help the internet industry from being abused and the online industry in the UK and increasingly, globally, is really stepping up to help us remove this imagery but we know there are many more companies who are either yet to recognise they have an issue, or are being too slow to respond.

"It is not good enough for those companies to allow the burden of responsibility to fall on a socially responsible few. This year we will ensure they are armed with the knowledge, information and support they need to protect themselves and benefit all internet users and victims of sexual abuse."

(MH/CD)

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