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Facing investigation or prosecution for indecent images or an online sexual offence?

You're probably in shock, and unsure what happens next. Confidential, specialist psychotherapy and counselling support is available, alongside your solicitor, not instead of them.

Or get in touch by email at help@pausetothink.co.uk.

If you're a professional or family member looking to refer someone, see information for referrers ↓

You're not alone

Being investigated or charged over indecent images, sexual communication with a child, voyeurism, indecent exposure, or a related online offence is frightening, and it's common to feel shame, fear, and confusion about what happens next. Many people going through this have never had to face anything like it before.

We're not solicitors, and we don't offer legal advice, that's what your solicitor is for. What we offer is specialist psychotherapy and counselling: a confidential, non-judgemental space with a qualified therapist to process what's happening, understand how things got to this point, and build the kind of engagement that can genuinely support your case and your wellbeing going forward.

What to expect

1
Get in touch

Tell us as much or as little as you're comfortable with. There's no pressure and no obligation.

2
A first conversation

We'll talk through where you are in the process, arrested, under investigation, charged, or awaiting court, and what support looks like at this stage.

3
Ongoing support

Regular, confidential one-to-one psychotherapy and counselling sessions alongside your case, and if it's useful to your solicitor, a letter on your engagement to support your mitigation.

One person's story

The following is a composite example, based on common experiences, not any one individual.

"David" had a knock at the door early one morning. The police interview, the bail conditions, the wait for a charging decision, it was the most frightening period of his life, and he didn't know who he could talk to about it. His solicitor handled the legal case, but there was nowhere for the fear and shame underneath it to go. Through therapy, he began to understand how things had reached that point, and built a genuine, documented engagement that his solicitor was later able to draw on for mitigation. Whatever the outcome of his case, he wasn't facing it in silence.

Frequently asked questions

Who is this service for?+

Mainly people facing investigation or prosecution involving indecent images, sexual communication with a child, voyeurism, indecent exposure, or a related online offence. We also support people worried about their own thoughts before anything's happened, family members, and professionals seeking guidance.

Is this confidential?+

Yes. What happens in our sessions stays between you and your therapist. There are two situations where that changes: where someone else, including a child, could be at risk of harm, we have a legal duty to pass that on to the right authority, and your therapist will bring aspects of your work into their own supervision, as all therapists do, though never in a way that identifies you.

Could what I say be used against me in court?+

There's no lawyer-style legal privilege for therapy, but real protections exist, and there are narrow limits on what we'd ever share without your consent. Have a look at our general guide to confidentiality and the police.

I've already been arrested or charged, can you still help?+

Yes, this is who we work with most. If you have just been interviewed and are currently on bail or under investigation, we can help. Also, if you have been charged, or awaiting sentencing, you can get in touch and we'll talk through what support looks like at your stage.

What's going to happen to me now?+

We know this is often the biggest question on your mind. Have a look at our general guide to how sentencing works, and talk to your solicitor about your specific case.

Will I lose my job, or be struck off?+

Possibly, depending on your role and your profession's own regulator, this is separate from any court outcome. Have a look at our general guide to what this could mean for your job.

Will I be able to see my children again?+

This is a family court decision, separate from any criminal case, and it depends entirely on your circumstances. Have a look at our general guide to how family court and Cafcass work.

I've been caught looking at indecent images online, can you help?+

Yes. This is one of the most common reasons people get in touch, whether you've already been arrested, are under investigation, or a police interview is still ahead of you.

What if my case involves sexual communication with a child, voyeurism, or indecent exposure?+

We support people facing a range of online and related sexual offences, not only indecent images. Get in touch and we'll talk through what's happened and what support looks like for your situation.

Is this the same as legal advice?+

No. We're not solicitors, and we don't advise on your case, your police interview, or court process, that's what your solicitor is for. What we offer is confidential emotional and therapeutic support alongside the legal process, not instead of it.

Can you provide a letter for my solicitor?+

Yes. We can prepare a letter on your engagement in therapy for your solicitor, to support a mitigation plea. There's a fee for this. Get in touch to discuss your circumstances and what's needed.

How much does this cost?+

Fees vary depending on which therapist you choose to see. All of our therapists work independently of each other. Get in touch and we'll discuss therapy fees openly at your initial consultation, before you commit to anything.

Do you support family members too?+

Yes, support is also available for those affected by a loved one's situation.

Not sure what a word or term means?+

Have a look at our glossary of terms, which explains the clinical and legal language you might come across.

Who this is for

This service is primarily for people facing investigation or prosecution involving indecent images, sexual communication with a child, voyeurism, indecent exposure, or a related online offence.

People worried about their own thoughts or behaviour, before anything's happened
Family members affected by someone else's situation
Professionals seeking guidance in their work

Get in touch

Your message is treated as confidential. Tell us as much or as little as you feel comfortable with.

We aim to respond to you within one working day. If you're in crisis right now, please call 999 or Samaritans on 116 123 instead.

Thank you. Your message has been sent and will be treated as confidential. We'll be in touch soon.

Other ways to reach us

Opens the WhatsApp app; works best on a phone

Email us directly

Refer early. Reduce the harm.

For professionals and referrers

If you'd like to discuss a client or someone in your care, you're welcome to call us directly and talk it through. For anything that needs more detail, documentation, or follow-up, email is often easier.

We also prepare letters on a client's engagement in therapy for their solicitor, to support a mitigation plea at sentencing. There's a fee for this service. Get in touch to discuss your client's circumstances and what's needed. We've also put together a general guide to how sentencing works for these offences, which some clients find useful.

We're open to receiving referrals from:

GPs Solicitors Therapists and counsellors Police Probation and social workers

If you're a partner or family member and would rather speak to someone yourself first, before anyone else is involved, you're welcome to get in touch the same way.

Get in touch, privately and at your own pace

There's no pressure, and no obligation. Just a private conversation, when you're ready.

Provided in partnership with Empowerment Pathways. Ian Richards is a registered member of BACP, NCPS, IIPA and NOTA. He is also a contributing author to A Practitioner's Guide to Working with Sexual Offenders, Families, and Victims (Routledge, 2025).

If you're in crisis or at immediate risk to yourself or someone else, please call 999, or Samaritans free on 116 123, any time. If you're worried about your own thoughts or behaviour towards children, Stop It Now's confidential helpline is free on 0808 1000 900. This site isn't a crisis or emergency service.
Get in touch, in confidence