I wish my job didn't exist - the team that has to find child abuse images

Tamsin McNally is a team leader at the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), an organization that plays a crucial role in protecting children from online abuse. Tamsin, who has a warm and caring personality, is a loving grandmother who enjoys spending time with her grandchildren. However, her job requires her to confront some of the most disturbing and abhorrent images of child sexual abuse found on the internet. The IWF is one of the few organizations in the world that is licensed to actively search for and remove indecent content online. Last year, the foundation achieved a remarkable feat by helping to take down nearly 300,000 web pages containing such content, including a significant increase in AI-generated images. Tamsin expresses her deep concern about the nature of this content, stating, 'The content is horrific, it shouldn't ever have been created in the first place. ' She emphasizes that the emotional toll of viewing these images is profound, as they represent real victims of abuse. Tamsin, who uses a pseudonym for her safety, is motivated by her family to carry out her role as an analyst. She describes herself as a 'disruptor,' someone who actively works to obstruct criminal gangs that share abusive footage for profit. The anonymity provided to analysts like Tamsin is essential for their safety, as they often face threats from those involved in these criminal activities. Tamsin finds fulfillment in her work, stating, 'There's not many jobs where you go to work in the morning and do good all day, and also irritate really bad people. ' She believes that by removing these images, she is directly preventing access to harmful content. Tamsin's commitment to making the internet a safer place for children is evident in her words, 'I have children and grandchildren and I just want to make the internet a safer place for them. ' The IWF collaborates with law enforcement agencies worldwide to aid in investigations and bring criminals to justice. Tamsin's team is dedicated to tackling the worst child abuse images online, and they understand the importance of their work in protecting children. The IWF is one of only three organizations globally that is authorized to search for child abuse content online. In the past year, they reported a staggering increase in the number of AI-generated child sexual abuse images, rising from 51 to 245. This alarming trend has prompted the UK government to take action against AI-generated content. Tamsin acknowledges the emotional challenges of their work but remains steadfast in her belief that they are making a difference. She recalls a recent Monday morning when the hotline received over 2,000 reports from the public about disturbing imagery. Tamsin hopes that everyone recognizes the seriousness of this issue and takes action to prevent it. She expresses her desire for her job to no longer exist, but she understands that as long as there are spaces online, there will be a need for roles like hers. Tamsin shares that many people are shocked to learn about her job, often questioning why anyone would want to do such work. To cope with the emotional strain, Tamsin and her colleagues receive monthly counseling and regular well-being support. The IWF prioritizes the mental health of its staff, providing a supportive environment that includes team meetings and recreational activities. Tamsin mentions the presence of a pool table and a jigsaw corner, where employees can take breaks and unwind. This combination of formal and informal support helps the team manage the challenges they face. During a visit to the IWF's office, which is located in a peaceful business park in Cambridge, the BBC spoke with Tamsin and her colleagues about their experiences. Another team member, who goes by the name Manon, shared her journey of joining the IWF. Initially unsure if she could handle the job due to her dislike of horror films, Manon found reassurance in the extensive support provided by the organization. With a background in linguistics, she applies her knowledge to identify and disrupt the language used by offenders to communicate and hide their actions. Manon expresses her satisfaction in being able to contribute to making the internet a safer place, stating, 'Every way you look at it, you're making the internet a better place and I don't think there are many jobs where you can do that every single day.