Parents Suspected of CSAM
Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FIN/26/004773/Q
Version Date: 03/07/2026
The Dorset Safeguarding & Public Protection Unit and the Local Policing Team have provided the following information:
Aim: to explore how a child is protected from future harm after a parental guardian is suspected of a child sexual abuse material (CSAM) offence in the UK.
NOTE: this is regarding children who are not thought to have been a direct victim of intra-familial child sexual abuse by a parent.
1) Does the current police data system capture whether an individual being investigated for a CSAM related offence has parental responsibility for a child?
Research is undertaken on the suspect to identify whether they have access to a child.
2) Do police officers purposefully undertake a search warrant at a family residence at a time where any children registered at the address are likely to be present?
No
3) If a search warrant is undertaken in a family residence would the non-suspect parent be left with access to the NPCC Family Pack? If yes:
a) In what format do you share the Family Pack?
b) Does the Family Pack contain information about support services available locally and are any of these specifically for children (please state which ones)?
Family packs are left with a family member which contains details of support services available. None of these are specifically for children.
4) Would a police officer routinely make a safeguarding referral to social services before beginning a CSAM investigation if it is known that the individual has regular unsupervised access to a child?
Yes
5) If a safeguarding referral has been made by police in relation to a CSAM investigation, would social services routinely be sent updates in the following circumstances?:
a) Suspect held on remand after the initial arrest.
b) Suspect bailed to an alternative address away from a family residence.
c) Suspect bailed with conditions that limits contact with children under 18.
d) Suspect released under investigation without bail conditions.
e) Suspect has bail conditions lifted however remains under investigation.
f) Investigation has concluded with no further police action required.
g) Crown Prosecution Service has authorised charges for the suspect.
h) Date of the first court hearing.
i) Outcome of the court case.
Yes, social services are updated at regular intervals during an investigation where a suspect has children.
6) When a suspect shared a primary residence with a child under the age of 18 at the start of an investigation and a search warrant was undertaken at that property, would the investigation team directly update the non-suspect parental guardian in the following circumstances?:
a) Suspect held on remand after the initial arrest.
b) Suspect bailed to an alternative address away from a family residence.
c) Suspect bailed with conditions that limits contact with children under 18.
d) Suspect released under investigation without bail conditions.
e) Suspect has bail conditions lifted however remains under investigation.
f) Investigation has concluded with no further police action required.
g) Crown Prosecution Service has authorised charges for the suspect.
h) Date of the first court hearing.
i) Outcome of the court case.
Yes, as per the answer to question 5.
7) When it is known that a suspect has established unsupervised contact arrangements with a child who resides elsewhere, would a police officer directly contact the child's primary parental guardian in the following circumstances?:
a) Suspect held on remand after the initial arrest.
b) Suspect bailed with conditions that limits contact with children under 18.
c) Suspect released under investigation without bail conditions.
d) Suspect has had bail conditions lifted however remains under investigation.
e) Investigation has concluded with no further police action required.
f) Crown Prosecution Service has authorised charges for the suspect.
g) Date of the first court hearing.
h) Outcome of the court case.
Yes, the primary carer would be notified and if required updated as the case progresses.
REQUEST 2:
8) Does the current police data system capture whether an individual found guilty of a CSAM offence has parental responsibility for a child?
Such a person convicted of a CSAM offence would be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and as such any contact would be prohibited.
9) Would a sex offender manager update social services in the following circumstances?:
a) An offender initially registering as a sex offender.
Yes
- b) An offender had demonstrated an increase in risky behaviour.
This would be dependent on what the risky behaviour is, and how it would impact a risk to children or a particular child.
- c) The offender breached a sentencing requirement.
Would be case by case dependent.
- d) An offender completed their Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
No
- e) An individual is no longer required to register as a sex offender.
No
10) Would a sex offender manager directly update a primary parental guardian of a child under 18 for whom an individual is likely to see regularly of the following?:
a) That the individual was now a registered sex offender.
Yes
- b) The offender had demonstrated an increase in risky behaviour.
Would be case by case dependent.
- c) The offender breached a sentencing requirement.
Would be case by case dependent.
- d) The offender has completed their Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
No
- e) The individual is no longer required to register as a sex offender.
No