‘Alarming’ rise in child abuse image crimes

The number of child sexual abuse image offences recorded by Police Scotland were at a record high last year – up 15 per cent from the previous year.

Figures have been analysed by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

A total of 765 offences, where child abuse images were collected and distributed, were logged in 2022/23, according to Police Scotland data.

Since 2017/18, when the NSPCC first called for social media regulation, a total of 3,877 crimes have been recorded while children and families have waited for online safety laws.

The charity said the figures show the need for swift and ambitious action by tech companies to address what is currently happening on their platforms and for Ofcom to significantly strengthen its approach to tackling child sexual abuse through effective enforcement of the Online Safety

Act.

The NSPCC said that disrupting online child sexual abuse, taking place at increasing levels, will require regulated tech platforms to introduce systemic changes to their products to stop them being used to organise, commit and share child abuse.

Sir Peter Wanless, NSPCC chief executive, said:“It’s alarming to see online child abuse continue to rise, especially when tech companies should be acting to make their sites safe by design ahead of incoming regulation.

“Behind these crimes are children who have been targeted by adults who are able to organise and share sexual abuse with other offenders seamlessly across social media and messaging apps.

“The Online Safety Act sets out robust measures to make children fundamentally safer on the sites and apps they use so they can enjoy the benefits of a healthy online experience.

“Ofcom has been quick off the blocks but must act with greater ambition to ensure companies prioritise child safety in the comprehensive way that is so desperately needed.