FAQ

This platform is aimed at individuals concerned about or experiencing distress due to their sexual thoughts or behaviors towards children, those at risk of engaging in sexual violence against children, and those who have already engaged in such behavior. Additionally, the platform caters to a secondary target group that includes professionals who interact with the primary group in their work, as well as friends, family, or colleagues of individuals in the primary group, and people with a general interest in the prevention of child sexual abuse and child sexual abuse material.

This platform assists those seeking help to find the support that suits their needs, regardless of their background. This platform is a non-judgmental and supportive space where you can discover a wide range of services across Europe that aim to provide support and help or someone to talk to. 
We believe that by connecting you with people who understand your needs, you can find support to navigate any complex emotions and experiences.

Yes, the safety of website visitors is our top priority. We take the protection of your personal data very seriously and adhere strictly to the rules of data protection laws. Personal data is only collected on this website to the extent that is technically necessary. Under no circumstances will the data collected be sold or passed on to third parties for other reasons.

We would like to point out that data transmission on the Internet (e.g. when communicating by e-mail) can have security gaps. Complete protection of data against access by unauthorised third parties is generally not possible for technical reasons. We make every effort to protect your data as best we can.

This page gives you an overview of how we guarantee this protection and what type of data is collected for what purpose: Privacy

The stepto.support website was created through the collaboration of experts in the fields of sexology, mental health, psychiatric treatment, and health promotion as part of the ‘Protect and Prevent Through Support’ (2PS) project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Programme. This partnership involves a diverse group of professionals and researchers who have dedicated their efforts to understanding and addressing the needs of individuals seeking support for sexual thoughts or behaviors towards children. The development of the platform was guided by insights gained from direct feedback, interviews, surveys, and user testing with the target audience, ensuring the resources and interventions provided are relevant and effective. The team’s collective expertise and commitment to offering confidential and therapeutic support have been fundamental in creating a platform aimed at fostering wellbeing, safe choices, and life free of sexual crimes against children for its users. For more information, see the About page.

If you’re struggling and in need of immediate assistance, it’s important to reach out for help. In a mental health crisis, contacting 24-hour local emergency services or a crisis hotline in your area is crucial. They are equipped to provide immediate support and guide you towards the next steps: Emergency Page

Additionally, our platform offers resources and interventions designed to assist individuals seeking to live a positive and harm-free life. While our platform itself does not provide real-time crisis intervention, some of the services listed on our site offer information and support that can be accessed 24/7. These resources may offer guidance and information that could be helpful to you at any time, day or night.

Remember, you’re not alone, and there are services and professionals ready to support you through this challenging time.

Being confronted with or suspecting that a relative or partner has an inclination that requires treatment is often a difficult situation. Often this suspicion arises because they come across images on the computer or find collections of images in other places. The possible reactions to these discoveries are understandable, e.g.:

 

• Fear of the consequences of the discovery for the family and partnership.
• Fear of police investigations, the reactions of friends and neighbors or financial ruin.
• Concern for the safety of their own children.
• Feeling betrayed and deceived because your loved one was still leading a ‘different life’.
• Disgust and revulsion at the other person’s needs and fantasies.
• Anger at the partner who ‘selfishly’ pursues their interests at the expense of others.
• Shame and guilt because you think you should have realized it earlier or are afraid of being partly responsible.
• Being torn because you don’t know whether you should or must contact the police.

 

We encourage relatives to seek an open dialogue with the person concerned. In this way, you can raise awareness of the problem and motivate them to seek professional help.