[CEOP Advisory] Child abuse image being shared via BBM & social network sites

[elsiegee40]

This message has just been sent out by CEOP to Ambassadors which I'd like to draw to your attention:

 

It has come to our attention that there is a link to a child abuse image currently being distributed via Blackberry Messenger. In addition it is also being distributed via other social networking sites. The message asks users to pass the link on to 'help the victim'.

 

Numerous reports are being made to local forces across the country and CEOP are receiving calls and reports from police.

 

Ongoing work is being undertaken by CEOP and local forces with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), Blackberry and other social networking sites in respect of blocking the link and identifying the source. CEOP will look to engage with Blackberry to resolve this issue happening in the future.

 

Anyone receiving the link to this image should delete it immediately and not distribute further. If it comes to your attention that children and young people you work with have received this link please advise them not to share it. Please advise them to delete it. Please emphasise to them that it is illegal to download, possess or share indecent images of children.

 

If you ever need to make a report to CEOP please visit CEOP's Safety Centre: www.clickceop.net

 

If you have any queries relating to CEOP's Thinkuknow education programme please contact the Education Team directly: education(at)ceop.gsi.gov.uk

 

Kind regards,

 

CEOP's Education Team

[witch]

Thanks.Will pass it on

[john]

Thanks have passed onto the Vice Principal responsible for Child Protection to disseminate as he feels appropriate as our students have a major love for BBM

[elsiegee40]

to catch the morning crew

[sonofsanta]

Thanks - sent onto DCPO for her awareness. Bloody BBM, worst system I've ever known for unpleasantness.

[NikChillin]

Great, sent out.

[Little-Miss]

Ew... thanks

[elsiegee40]

An update from CEOP:

 

Earlier this week we circulated advice to our Ambassadors regarding a child abuse image link that was being distributed via Blackberry Messenger (BBM) and other social networking sites. The message asked users to pass the link on to 'help the victim'.

 

Following reports to CEOP and forces across the country, work was undertaken by CEOP and local forces with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), Blackberry and other social networking sites in respect of blocking the link and identifying the source. This has now been passed on to foreign law enforcement for further investigation. CEOP continues to engage with industry to seek a resolution that will prevent similar issues occurring in the future.

 

Advice to practitioners

 

In this instance, it is advised that if an image or link to an image is received asking the recipient to 'help the victim' by passing it on it should be deleted immediately and not be distributed further.

 

It is unusual for a link or image of this nature to be shared in a 'chain mail' style message, encouraging recipients to distribute it. Law enforcement agencies are aware of its existence and are investigating. However, if you are unsure and in all other circumstances where images of or links to child abuse images come to your attention please report this directly to CEOP at: www.clickceop.net

 

It may come to your attention that children and young people that you work with have received this link or image, in taking any action to resolve this issue please do so in reference to your organisation's child protection policies and procedures and in co-operation with your senior leadership team.

 

If children and young people you work with have received this link or image please advise them not to share it and to delete it as the police are already aware of it. However should they come across or receive any images or links of this kind in the future advise them not to click on the link or share it but to tell an adult that they trust and to report it to CEOP at: www.clickceop.net.

 

Please take this opportunity, particularly with older children, to emphasise that it is illegal to create, download, possess or share a naked or sexual picture of a child (i.e. an indecent image). CEOP's Thinkuknow has developed two resources which deal with the issues of sharing pictures or videos of this nature which may be useful in facilitating discussions around this: Exposed (in the context of sexting) and First to a Million (in the context of losing control of content online). These resources are available for free from: http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/teachers.

 

Children and young people who have received this message may feel upset or worried about it. If they do, please advise them to speak to an adult that they trust or contact ChildLine on 0800 1111 or www.childline.org.uk. ChildLine provides free, confidential counselling to children and young people 24 hours a day no matter what problems they are facing. They can also get information and advice on how to have fun online and on their mobiles whilst staying safe and where to get help if things go wrong at www.thinkuknow.co.uk.

 

If you ever need to make a report to CEOP please visit CEOP's Safety Centre: www.clickceop.net

 

If you have any queries relating to CEOP's Thinkuknow education programme please contact the Education Team directly: education(at)ceop.gsi.gov.uk

 

Edited November 16, 2012 by elsiegee40

[elsiegee40]

for new week.