MORE than 200 people in Jersey sought support last year over concerns about their own or someone else’s sexual thoughts or behaviour towards children, the NSPCC has revealed.

The figure comes as a campaign backed by police and government urges people at risk of committing online child sexual abuse to seek anonymous help.

NSPCC Jersey has brought the Lucy Faithfull Foundation’s Stop It Now campaign to the Island to deter offending and raise awareness of the harm caused to children.

It warns that viewing sexual images of under-18s or having sexual conversations with children online is illegal, with offenders facing potential arrest, imprisonment and loss of employment.

Dr Alexandra Bailey, the foundation’s head of psychology, said preventing abuse meant reaching people before children were harmed.

“While it’s difficult to talk about, if we want to keep children safe from sexual harm we need to think about how to prevent child sexual abuse, before it happens,” she said.

“We know there are people in our communities struggling to change their harmful sexual behaviour towards children online.

“For children to be protected, we need them to get the support they need to change their behaviour.”

She said many people contacting the service described behaviour that began with legal sexual content before escalating to viewing sexual images of children or having sexual conversations with them.

“We want anyone worried about their own behaviour, or about someone else, to know that there is a pathway out of this behaviour,” she added.

More than 400 professionals working in safeguarding and related roles in Jersey have signed up for training. Webinars running throughout October include contributions from the NSPCC, police and government, while three campaign films are being shared on social media.

Home Affairs Minister Helen Miles said: “Online child sexual abuse is deeply harmful to victims, and we know it is of increasing concern.”

NSPCC Jersey team manager Vicki Larbalestier said the partners hoped that sharing information would encourage Islanders to seek help, prevent potential offending and protect children.

Anonymous, confidential support is available from Stop It Now on 0808 1000 900 or at stopitnow.org.uk, including online self-help modules, live chat and secure email.

Adults concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000. Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111.