Why I’m making it my mission to crack down on the evil of paedophiles and those who watch their depraved acts online
CHILD sex abusers are the lowest of the low.
They are depraved cowards who silently lurk in the shadows of society, ruthlessly preying on the young, innocent and vulnerable.
They also walk our streets pretending to be upstanding members of society. Teachers, sports coaches, religious leaders and politicians are just some of the people who use their position of trust and authority to sexually abuse children.
As Home Secretary, I regularly hear truly shocking stories about the revolting and deplorable actions of callous paedophiles who stalk both on and offline spaces.
They sicken me to the core. But I am also sickened by the sheer number of these vile abusers.
The National Crime Agency believe around 80,000 people in the UK pose a sexual threat to children online. That’s the size of a small city.
More child sex abuse content is being uploaded than ever before – with the crime fighting agency reporting a seven-fold increase in the number of referrals it has received since 2013.
Invisible crime gangs are also now able to live stream these sick acts to online abusers for just over £10 – a quarter of what paedophiles were paying four years ago.
The horror of what is taking place is truly unimaginable and we are seeing crimes that leave the most hardened investigators emotionally scarred.
Abhorrent crimes involving babies.
Abhorrent crimes where children are force-fed drugs before the abuse begins.
Abhorrent crimes where perverted offenders live stream the rape of innocent youngsters over a web cam – and are ordered to carry out gut-wrenching acts by their conspirators who are watching on a computer from the comfort of their own home.
Horrifying cases like this leave an emotional scar on me as well. They demonstrate how these callous individuals will stoop to any depth and go to any length to abuse children.
As well as the internet, child abuse is taking place in family homes and in our communities and institutions. We have seen grooming gangs in places like Rotherham, Rochdale, Oxford and Newcastle sexually exploit our children.
That is why I am making it my mission to crack down on and raise awareness around the shocking sexual abuse and exploitation of children. And today I will be giving a speech setting out the way we intend to do it.
This Government has done more to tackle child sexual exploitation than any other.
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But I want to go much, much, further, ensuring no stone is left unturned and give law enforcement the tools they need to tackle these sick offenders.
I am also clear that all parts of society must play their part in this battle.
This is a complex issue and perpetrators are continually evolving to satisfy their depraved activities. But we owe it to children to do more. We must and I will.