A nationwide campaign tapping into the “biggest fears” of child groomers has been launched, with criminals being implored to seek help before it is too late.
Between April 2018 and February, police across Scotland investigated nearly 1,600 reports of adults communicating with youngsters for sexual purposes.
And of those, almost 70% of the cases involved the perpetrator being arrested and charged.
Today officers are embarking upon a scheme which they say “pulls no punches” and lays bare the full consequences awaiting people committing these offences.
The Stop It Now campaign is based around the criminals’ greatest fear – that their families will find out and they will be publicly exposed.
Assistant Chief Constable Gillian MacDonald said: “Perpetrators of online child abuse are single-minded and target children using messaging apps.
“Offenders come from all walks of life, all age groups and are predominantly men.
“Their motivations vary. Some may not see children as victims, they may not see themselves as abusers. Most don’t believe they will get caught.”
She added: “Our message to offenders or people who think they might offend is get help.
“What you are doing is wrong. You will be caught and you risk losing everything.”
Stuart Allardyce, the national manager for Stop It Now Scotland, said: “Our work with men who have committed online offences tells us that many knew what they were doing was wrong – but that they didn’t know how to stop.
“The long lasting hurt caused to the families of offenders is often underestimated.
“We often work with wives and children of offenders who are devastated by the actions of their loved one.
“There are no grey areas whether it is sexual conversations with young people online, an attempt to solicit sexual images from them or trying to meet up – all of these things are illegal.”
If you suspect someone you know may be accessing indecent images of children online, we’re here to help. Visit https://t.co/ZD35KmEwrF or call us on 0131 5563535 #stopchildabuse pic.twitter.com/iaYxi1N9xP
— Stop It Now! Scotland (@StopItNowScot) March 15, 2019
Stop It Now will run for the next four weeks with adverts across social media, billboards and phone boxes.
Anyone with concerns can call the free helpline on 0808 1000 900, which is available 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.
A secure private messaging service is also available at stopitnow.org.uk