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Total score
7
United Kingdom
The UK is the best performer among G7 countries and is spearheading international efforts to end online sexual violence.
2025 Policy indicators for United Kingdom
The UK's financial commitment to child protection is deteriorating on multiple fronts. Its already insufficient ODA commitment of 0.5% will plummet to just 0.3% by 2027 following drastic cuts announced in February 2025 (1), while its inadequate UNICEF contribution of USD 5.61 per capita falls well short of what's needed (2). This retreat from global funding responsibilities threatens services for children worldwide. The UK’s financial support to the global fund for online safety is recognised and welcomed.
The UK is one of the few G7 countries that has abolished criminal statutes of limitations in relation to childhood sexual violence (3).
The UK has established itself as a pioneer in online safety regulation, with its 2023 Online Safety Act creating a duty of care for online platforms, requiring them to take swift action against child sexual abuse material (CSAM) (4). In April 2025, Ofcom announced new measures developed in consultation with children and parents, requiring tech firms to take action by July 2025. Measures include improved age verification systems, faster content removal processes and penalties including possible shutdown for non-compliance (5). The UK is also introducing specific AI sexual abuse offences through the Crime and Policing Bill undergoing Parliamentary review (6). According to IWF data, 287 URLs displaying childhood sexual abuse imagery were hosted in the UK in 2023, a decrease of 55% from 2022 (7). The UK also spearheads international online safety efforts, including within G7 processes, and supports the global fund (Safe Online), and the WeProtect Global Alliance, focused on online safety.
The UK is establishing mechanisms to engage with survivors, with plans underway to create a National Survivors Council. The work is being informed and advised by survivors and allies, based around best practices when it comes to survivor engagement and trauma informed approaches.
The UK’s fragmented approach to national action plans creates protection and support gaps across regions. While devolved governments are showing signs of progress, as with Northern Ireland’s promising 2024-2031 Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy, the UK lacks a comprehensive nationwide framework that ensures equitable protection for all children regardless of national boundaries (8).
- UK Parliament. (2025). UK to reduce aid to 0.3% of gross national income from 2027.
- UNICEF. (2023) Funding Compendium.
- Miguel Hurtado et al. (Forthcoming). Brave & CHILDGlobal SOL Task Force G7 Report.
- Legislation.gov.uk. (2023). Online Safety Act 2023.
- Ofcom. (2025). New rules for a safer generation of children online.
- UK Parliament. (2025). Crime and Policing Bill.
- Internet Watch Foundation. (2023). UK hosted child sexual abuse imagery.
- Department of Justice (Northern Ireland). (2024). Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy 2024-2031.
Taking action! BeBrave UK!
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Insights from our #BeBrave members in UK
Blog
From awareness to action: Why Every G7 country needs a national action plan to end childhood sexual violence
Richest nations need national action plans including prevention, healing, and justice.
June 5, 2025
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Healing and safety
Blog
Young voices demand action: protecting our generation from online abuse now
Harmful content is prevalent, and algorithms play a significant role in exposing young users to it.
November 20, 2024
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Blog
What does it really mean to be child-centered and trauma-informed?
I was a victim of technology-assisted child sexual abuse when I was 13.
November 28, 2024
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Blog
Online childhood sexual violence: a global menace
When I was 13 years old, I was groomed online by a much older man pretending to be someone else.
July 25, 2024
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Indicators
- Financial investment in development aid for childhood protection
- Elimination of statutes of limitations in relation to childhood sexual violence in criminal law
- Implementation of national action plans or strategy to address childhood sexual violence
- Engagement with survivors through a government-supported or endorsed national survivor council
- Safe internet
