INHOPE

INHOPE is an active and collaborative network of 51 hotlines in 45 countries worldwide (as at 2016), which deal with illegal content online, including the removal of child sexual abuse from the Internet.

INHOPE comprises the INHOPE Association (International Association of Internet Hotlines) and the INHOPE Foundation, the latter being focused on supporting the development of new hotlines worldwide, especially in emerging countries.

INHOPE hotlines offer online users a way of anonymously reporting online material – including child sexual abuse material, online grooming, and hate speech – which they suspect to be illegal. Hotlines ensure that the matter is investigated; in many cases, the content is passed to law enforcement agencies for further investigation, and the Internet Service Providers for removal. INHOPE’s goal is to establish and support effective national hotlines, to train and support new hotlines, to foster ongoing Internet safety awareness and education, and to establish effective common procedures for receiving and processing reports.