The UK has a world-leading approach to dealing with Child Sexual Abuse Material online. In 1996, the year the IWF was founded, 18% of the world’s known child sexual abuse material was hosted in the UK. Today it is less than 1% and it has been less than 1% ever since 2003.

The IWF is recognised globally as a model of best practice. The UK’s Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse concluded the IWF is a “genuine success story” and “a large part of the reason comparatively little CSAM was hosted in the UK.”

The International Association of Internet Hotlines (INHOPE) described the IWF as “maintaining exceptional standards in all areas and its practices can be recommended to new or existing hotlines wishing to develop or expand their services.”

We work with Governments, Industry and Law Enforcement globally to share best practice about how we prevent the proliferation of child sexual abuse material online. We want to ensure that legislation builds upon current best practice, respects current international collaboration and further improves the response to this crime.

We work with Governments, Industry and Law Enforcement globally to share best practice about how we prevent the proliferation of child sexual abuse material online. We want to ensure that legislation builds upon current best practice, respects current international collaboration and further improves the response to this crime.

In this section

UK Policy Work

EU Policy Work

International Policy Work

Parliamentary Champions

Mentions by Parliamentarians

End-to-End Encryption

Our latest policy articles & blogs

White House roundtable is 'important moment' in recognising threat of AI child sexual abuse imagery

White House roundtable is 'important moment' in recognising threat of AI child sexual abuse imagery

'I am pleased this threat is being taken seriously – and being invited to talk about the dangers at the White House is an important moment.'

13 November 2023 Blog
King says tackling grooming and 'digitally enabled' child sexual abuse priorities for Government

King says tackling grooming and 'digitally enabled' child sexual abuse priorities for Government

07 November 2023 News
AI must be a force for good and not a threat to children

AI must be a force for good and not a threat to children

30 October 2023 News
'Pivotal moment' as Online Safety Act gains Royal Assent

'Pivotal moment' as Online Safety Act gains Royal Assent

26 October 2023 News
Study ‘risks decades of progress’ in fight against child sexual abuse online

Study ‘risks decades of progress’ in fight against child sexual abuse online

14 April 2023 News
UK Government

UK Policy Work

We operate independently of government, but have a good working relationship with the Home Office, the Department for Digital, Culture.

EU Parliament

EU Policy Work

How the IWF works with the EU on policy to make children safer online. Includes Policy Briefs and Consultations.

International flags

International Policy Work

How the IWF works on international policy to raise awareness of the issues relating to child sexual abuse imagery online.

Parliament

Parliamentary Champions

Our parlimentray champions publicly support of our work and help to raise awareness of online child sexual abuse imagery and how it can be brought to an end.

Whitehall

Mentions by Parliamentarians

We regularly work with members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords to highlight political issues surrounding child sexual abuse online.

Child using a mobile phone with a message and lock icon

End-to-End Encryption

What is end-to-end encryption (E2EE) and how could it impact IWF's ability to find online child sexual abuse imagery?

The Online Safety Act explained

An IWF explainer guide covering the key elements of the Online Safety Act.

Several people standing up and looking at their phones

The All-Party Parliamentary Group APPG on Online Safety on Social Media

Established in March 2018, the group works to drive policy change that maximises the positives and mitigates the negatives of social media.

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