Standing with the IWF: Protecting Children Online
At The Security Institute, we are proud to stand alongside the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) in their relentless mission to protect children from online sexual abuse. The 2025 IWF Annual Report lays bare the stark reality of digital harms—but also illuminates the vital, courageous work being done to combat them.
This year’s findings are a sobering reminder of the scale of the challenge—and the urgency with which we must act.
⚠️ Key Findings
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Every 74 seconds a report is made to the IWF.
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Every 108 seconds, one of those cases contains confirmed child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
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An 8% increase in reports from 2023.
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97% of victims in these reports were girls.
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Sharpest rises in the 14–15-year-olds (+35%) and 16–17-year-olds (+67%) age groups.
🧠 Insight & Impact
The IWF continues to be Europe’s largest hotline for the detection and removal of CSAM. In 2025, the organisation:
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Expanded its free hash list services to help smaller tech companies prevent the upload of CSAM and comply with the Online Safety Act 2023.
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Launched “Image Intercept”, a proactive tool to prevent the spread of abuse material. Estimated cost: £700,000 over five years, with only £60,000 in government support.
These tools not only prevent the dissemination of harmful material—they safeguard tech employees from exposure and protect users worldwide.
💬 Voices from the Frontline
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Lord Hanson, Minister of State for the Home Office, praised IWF’s work and highlighted new initiatives to combat CSAM through:
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Stronger border controls,
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Local victim support funding,
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Enforcement of the Online Safety Act 2023.
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Megan, survivor and advocate from the Marie Collins Foundation, shared her powerful story of abuse and resilience. Her words remind us that the impact of online abuse can be lifelong—and that hope and recovery must be made visible.
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Senior Analysts at IWF: With only 27 highly trained individuals, the IWF team reviews thousands of images daily, backed by mandatory 1-to-1 counselling. Their reason? “So children can safely explore the world online.”
🤝 Why It Matters to Us
As the UK’s leading professional body for security professionals, The Security Institute believes partnerships are key. This report is especially relevant to those in:
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Cybersecurity
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Digital infrastructure
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Safeguarding strategy
We encourage members to share the IWF’s free hash services with relevant clients and to explore IWF’s Standards of Good Practice for adult content moderation:
Additionally, their TALK Checklist is an invaluable tool for parents and guardians looking to protect children:
🌐 Looking Ahead: Strengthening Our Network
We are particularly inspired by the potential of partnerships with initiatives like the Ladies Hacking Society (LHS)—a community-driven group committed to empowering women in cybersecurity. With aligned goals of inclusion, skills development, and digital safety, LHS represents the kind of proactive, people-first collaboration we champion.
For a deeper dive into the data, analysis, and future direction of the IWF:
🔗 Access the Full 2025 IWF Annual Report Here
🔗 Our Safeguarding Women & Girls Initiative