The IWF: at the forefront of child protection

The IWF is a key actor in child protection not only in the UK but also globally. It has a wide range of partnerships, it is a founding member of INHOPE, the international association of hotline providers around the world. The global significance of the IWF is demonstrated by the fact that 51% of the data uploaded to the ICCAM database used by all 54 hotlines of the INHOPE Association was uploaded by the IWF in 2023 and the remaining 49% by the other 53 hotlines. The IWF is one of the hotlines that specialise in preventing child sexual abuse, and therefore does not rececive reports in any other category.

A detailed overview of the IWF’s operations: Innovation and a people-centric approach

During their visit, IH analysts gained insight into the IWF’s organisational structure and the highly regulated processes through which it carries out its duties. As IWF analysts encounter highly stressful, violent content on a daily basis, the mental health of staff is a key priority. This was particularly inspiring for IH analysts as they face similar challenges, so Staff Welfare exercises of IWF provided some important lessons for them. Promoting well-being and protecting mental health are important not only at an individual level, but also for the long-term sustainability of the organisation.

New technological challenges: Pyramid sites and cryptocurrencies

The research conducted at the IWF was particularly interesting. An IWF staff member described how pyramid sites, which are extremely difficult to track, work and also covered the role of cryptocurrencies in the distribution of child sexual abuse content. This technological background is of key importance for effective detection and for the fight against criminals. In addition, it has also provided the NMHH legal advisory service with some useful new perspectives.

Shadowing analysts and sharing work routines

The study visit also provided IH analysts with the opportunity to work alongside experienced senior analysts from the IWF, greatly contributing to their professional development. The shadowing technique allowed them to learn about new technical methods., and IH analysts have also witnessed the exceptional analysing attitude of the IWF analysts which can be very useful if put into practice at the IH. The IWF’s attitude and commitment to child protection have been very inspiring for IH analysts and confirmed that the expansion of cooperation, and the ongoing innovation and professional development are all necessary to enable a team of analysts to be effective in carrying out this difficult yet very important work.

Plans for the future

Experiences gained during the study visit will not remain theoretical: the hotline’s staff are working towards integrating as many good practices as possible into the IH’s daily operations and ensuring that the knowledge and experience gained during training will contribute to the effective and successful operation of the hotline in the long run.