One in five child abuse images found online last year were category A – report

Internet Watch Foundation says amount of material showing most extreme form of sexual abuse has doubled since 2020

The most extreme form of child sexual abuse material accounted for a fifth of such content found online last year, according to a report.

Category A abuse represented 20% of illegal images discovered online last year by the Internet Watch Foundation, a UK-based body that monitors distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). It found more than 51,000 instances of such content, which can include the most severe imagery including rape, sadism and bestiality.

The NSPCC offers support to children on 0800 1111, and adults concerned about a child on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adult survivors on 0808 801 0331.