International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute (IPPPRI)- New tool launched to help online abuse victims
New Support Tool Launched to Help Survivors Remove Child Abuse Images from the Internet
The International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute (IPPPRI), part of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), has launched a new support tool designed to help survivors of online child sexual abuse have abusive images removed from circulation online.
Developed in partnership with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and Protect Children, the new initiative allows eligible survivors to self-refer to the ECHO Survivor Hub after reporting abuse to the police and having their case investigated. The service aims to actively search for and remove abuse imagery, encourage technology companies to take proactive action, provide information about compensation options, and offer resources that support wellbeing and recovery.
For safeguarding professionals, this development is an important reminder that the impact of child sexual abuse does not end when the abuse itself stops. For many survivors, the continued circulation of abuse images can create an ongoing and deeply traumatic experience that lasts long into adulthood.
The Harm Does Not End When the Abuse Ends
One of the most challenging aspects of online child sexual abuse is the permanence of digital content.
Unlike many other forms of abuse, child sexual abuse material can continue to be viewed, shared, downloaded, and redistributed years after the original offence occurred.
For survivors, this can create an ongoing sense of fear, loss of control, and re-traumatisation. Many describe living with the knowledge that images of their abuse may still be circulating online, often without knowing where, by whom, or how frequently they are being viewed.
This means the safeguarding response must extend beyond criminal investigations and prosecution.
Supporting survivors requires a long-term commitment to recovery, wellbeing, and reducing the ongoing harm caused by the continued existence of abuse material online.
A Victim-Centred Approach
The ECHO Survivor Hub represents an important shift towards survivor-focused safeguarding.
Rather than expecting survivors to navigate complex systems on their own, the service provides practical support to help identify and remove abuse imagery while also connecting individuals with wider forms of assistance.
The initiative recognises that survivors may need support in a number of areas, including:
Removal of abuse imagery from online platforms.
Access to emotional and psychological support.
Information about legal rights and remedies.
Guidance regarding compensation options.
Help understanding available support services.
This holistic approach reflects good safeguarding practice, recognising that recovery is not solely about addressing past harm but also about empowering survivors to regain control over their future.
Technology Has a Role to Play
A key element of the initiative is its work with technology companies to encourage the proactive removal of abusive content.
Safeguarding children online cannot be achieved by victims, families, or professionals alone.
Technology companies, social media platforms, hosting providers, and digital service providers all have a responsibility to identify, report, and remove child sexual abuse material wherever possible.
As technology continues to evolve, safeguarding responses must evolve alongside it.
The challenge is no longer simply detecting harmful content but ensuring systems are in place to prevent its continued circulation and minimise further harm to survivors.
The Importance of Long-Term Support
Safeguarding often focuses on identifying and responding to immediate risks.
However, effective safeguarding also recognises the long-term impact of abuse.
Many survivors of child sexual abuse continue to experience emotional, psychological, social, and practical challenges long after the original abuse has ended. Support services therefore need to be trauma-informed, accessible, and responsive to individual needs.
Initiatives such as the ECHO Survivor Hub acknowledge that healing is a process rather than a single intervention.
By combining practical action with emotional support, the service helps address both the immediate and ongoing consequences of online abuse.
What This Means for Safeguarding Professionals
Professionals working with children, young people, and adults should be aware that survivors of online child sexual abuse may continue to experience harm even when criminal proceedings have concluded.
Organisations should consider:
Whether staff understand the long-term impact of image-based child sexual abuse.
How survivors are supported following investigations.
Whether trauma-informed approaches are embedded within practice.
How professionals signpost individuals to specialist support services.
The role of digital safeguarding within wider safeguarding strategies.
Understanding the enduring nature of online abuse is essential to providing effective support.
Looking Beyond Protection Towards Recovery
At RLB Safeguarding Ltd, we believe safeguarding is not only about preventing harm but also about supporting recovery when harm has occurred.
The launch of the ECHO Survivor Hub is a positive development that recognises the lifelong impact online child sexual abuse can have on survivors. By helping remove abuse imagery, promoting accountability, and supporting wellbeing, the initiative places survivors' needs at the centre of the safeguarding response.
For many survivors, recovery involves more than justice. It involves restoring dignity, rebuilding confidence, and regaining a sense of control. Initiatives such as this represent an important step towards achieving those outcomes.
Resources
International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute (IPPPRI)