A child abuse expert and an independent family policy adviser have been appointed as independent trustees to the Internet Watch Foundation, a charity which aims to combat online child abuse content.

Alisdair Gillespie, a professor of Criminal Law and Justice at De Montfort University was chosen for his extensive research on the law relating to internet child sexual exploitation.

He is joined by OBE Mary MacLeod, former chief executive of the Family and Parenting Institute. 

Commenting on his appointed Gillespie (pictured) said: “I am delighted to be joining the Internet Watch Foundation. The IWF does extremely important work to combat child sexual abuse images and other illegal material on the Internet.”

MacLeod, an executive board member of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety, and Gillespie, also a member, will work in partnership with the online industry, law enforcement, education sector and other UK government departments to combat such abuse.

The IWF was established in 1996, while it is also a member of the International Association of Internet Hotline, whose aim is to ensure swift action is taken when responding to reports of illegal content.