Government accused over child pornography

News in pictures
News in pictures
On Facebook
From the blogs

Taking away benefits from heroin users won’t solve anything

It was reported today that Ian Duncan Smith is threatening to stop heroin addicts from being able to...

Chelsea Flower Show 2012: The winners

Of course, gold is the top honour, but that shouldn't detract from the other medals. If someone wins...

Palestinian hunger strike comes to an end but the status quo is not sustainable

Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, being held without being charge and without trial by the Israeli ...

RadFem2012: Excluding on the basis of gender

As someone who is interested in feminism as a movement, I was pleased to find out about RadFem2012 -...

The Government is failing to resolve the issue of access to child abuse images on the internet, major children's charities said today.

More than 700,000 UK households still have easy access to illegal child abuse image sites, they said.

The Children's Charities' Coalition on Internet Safety, which includes the NSPCC, Barnardo's and The Children's Society, expressed "regret and serious concern" at the "seriously damaging" situation for children.

Zoe Hilton, policy adviser for the NSPCC, and speaking on behalf of the Coalition, said: "Over 700,000 households in the UK can still get uninterrupted and easy access to illegal child abuse image sites.

"Allowing this loophole helps to feed the appalling trade in images which feature real children being seriously sexually assaulted.

"We now need decisive action from the Government to ensure the Internet Service Providers that are still refusing to block this foul material are forced to fall into line.

"Self-regulation on this issue is obviously failing - and in a seriously damaging way for children."

In 2006, the Home Office confirmed it was Government policy to ensure all UK ISPs should deploy a blocking mechanism for child abuse images based on the list of known illegal websites maintained by the Internet Watch Foundation, and that this should be done by the end of 2007, Ms Hilton said.

She added: "Some people commented at the time that allowing ISPs 18 months to bring themselves into line on something like this was excessively generous but at least it was a definite, time-limited commitment."

However, in June 2008, the Home Office indicated that the proportion of UK households covered had reached 95%, and another official response recently said it was still 95%, with the Government "looking at ways to progress the final 5%".

Ms Hilton said: "In other words, in getting on for three years of effort, the percentage has moved from 90% to 95%, and we still have no idea when the Government will finally conclude that the industry will not get us to the 100% which has been the basis of policy since May 2006."

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

Andreas Whittam Smith: Authenticity is a great asset in a leader. David Cameron lacks it

Andreas Whittam Smith

Authenticity is a great asset in a leader. David Cameron lacks it
Jubilant Jubilee royals as seen by Alison Jackson

Jubilant Jubilee royals

As seen by Alison Jackson
Jedward reach Eurovision final in Baku

Jedward reach Eurovision final

10 countries qualified for Saturday's final last night
Grace Dent: Personally, I'd fire bullying teens from a cannon and relocate the 'feral' kids to Chipping Norton

Grace Dent

Personally, I'd fire bullying teens from a cannon and relocate the 'feral' kids to Chipping Norton
Mike Sheridan: Confessions of an Ofsted inspector

Mike Sheridan: Confessions of an Ofsted inspector

They're hated by the teaching profession yet rarely defend themselves in public. So what's it like being an Ofsted inspector?
Manal al-Sharif: 'They just messed with the wrong woman'

Manal al-Sharif interview

She is the Saudi woman who became a symbol of female emancipation when she was filmed behind the wheel of a car. She tells Guy Adams of the persecution she has endured in her fight for equality – and why she will not be silenced
Zuckerberg loses friends on Wall Street as regulators probe $19bn slump

Zuckerberg loses friends on Wall St as regulators probe $19bn slump

Facebook investors rage at 18 per cent fall after some were not told of last-minute change to key projections
Could Mitt Romney's Bain Capital days cost him the US election?

The Bain of Romney's life?

It was the firm that made him his fortune - and by extension made possible his run for the White House. But now Mitt Romney's links to private equity company Bain Capital could render him unelectable
Auction site offers blood from Reagan assassination bid

Auction site offers blood from Reagan assassination bid

Ex-President's foundation threatens legal action to prevent Guernsey firm selling grisly souvenir
Blast me off, Scotty! Private spacecraft sends ashes of Star Trek actor into orbit

Blast me off, Scotty!

Private spacecraft sends ashes of Star Trek actor into orbit
A 2,400ft jump on to a pile of boxes with no parachute. What could go wrong...?

A 2,400ft jump on to a pile of boxes with no parachute. What could go wrong...?

Stuntman to leap from helicopter in wing suit that will slow his fall – to 65mph
James Van Der Beek: New doors open for Dawson

New doors open for Dawson

A comedy on E4 sees James Van Der Beek sending up his own teen-idol image
Le Touquet: I do like to be beside le seaside

I do like to be beside le seaside

With a century of glamour behind it, Le Touquet is a French coastal resort like no other
Postcards from the veg

Postcards from the veg

National Vegetarian Week is the perfect time to take a break – from meat
The 10 Best cycling events

The 10 Best cycling events

Great bike rides here and onwards into France