We regularly hear from helpline users about how helpful the advice and support has been for them. They have told us that the helpline has been a ‘lifeline’. External researchers and organisations have also completed evaluations of our services:
External evaluations of our helpline
Specialist researchers from NatCen Social Research conducted an independent evaluation of our helpline. The report was published in June 2014, with ‘overwhelmingly positive’ findings showing that the helpline provides a valuable contribution to tackling child sexual abuse by:
- Helping people who have sexual thoughts, feelings and behaviour towards children manage their behaviour
- Assisting all callers to be informed about how to protect children and young people from risk of harm.
The researchers used a range of information for the evaluation, gathering helpline users’ views through interviews, focus groups and questionnaires.
Study participants, who had offended, reported feeling more in control of their sexual thoughts and behaviour after using the helpline. They also talked about improving in areas that can protect against re-offending, such as:
- improving emotional and psychological well-being;
- addressing beliefs that can facilitate and maintain sexually abusive behaviour;
- strengthening motivation to desist;
- reducing the risk of social isolation; and
- increasing engagement in fulfilling and productive activities.
Participants who called the helpline with concerns about another person reported that they appreciated the guidance in strategies to help them manage and feel reassured about their ability to protect children.
You can download the full report stop_it_now_evaluation_uk_findings.pdf.
Another large-scale external evaluation is currently underway and we look forward to sharing the findings in Spring/Summer 2026.
Our impact
Over the last year we supported 8753 people