A PIONEERING initiative aimed at improving protection for children who have suffered online sexual abuse has been launched .

BT and the Marie Collins Foundation, a charity based near Ripon, are to pilot a programme that will eventually train people across the UK to help children and families who have suffered online exploitation.

The first of its kind, it is aimed at ensuring that every professional working with child victims of online abuse understands their individual role and those of colleagues in other related organisations.

And by placing the needs of abused children and their families at the heart of any intervention, it will enable professionals to carefully plan how to approach each case from discovery to recovery.

The charity’s chief executive, Tink Palmer, a renowned expert in the subject, said: “This initiative will provide an invaluable resource for front-line workers working with children who have been abused and their families.

"Online abuse is a growing challenge which requires a very specific response in order to ensure victims are able to recover with the right support.

She added: “The chance to partner with BT, a multi-national communications provider, is a huge boost for a charity such as the Marie Collins Foundation.

“We are thrilled to be able to use this partnership to make sure that children and their families are continually being placed at the centre of any intervention that takes place as a result of abuse or exploitation online.”

Independent research commissioned by MCF last year showed more than 96 per cent of front line professionals in education, health and children's services said they needed training to assess risk online while 95 per cent felt they needed training to help children and their families with recovery from online abuse.

Detective Superintendent Paul Sanford, representing Chief Constable Simon Bailey who is the national policing lead for child protection and abuse investigation, said policing of the online community was now as important as policing the streets.

"The online world is a target rich environment for groomers,” he said.

“It allows them the opportunity to form one-to-one relationships with vulnerable children with a low risk of their activity being identified by parents or carers.”

He added: "We know that the impact of being a victim of online abuse differs from other types of abuse and victims need a specific response tailored to meet their needs."