Tom Elliott criticizes government funding for Stop It Now! abuse prevention website?

checkthis · automated fact-check · How we check · Reel by @3aw693

Tom Elliott accurately quotes the website's self-help text, but omits that it is an evidence-based child sexual abuse prevention service designed to stop offending. 3AW radio host Tom Elliott criticized the federal government for spending $10 million on a website offering self-help advice for adults with sexual thoughts about children. As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald and Jesuit Social Services, Stop It Now! Australia is an evidence-based child protection service recommended by the Royal Commission to intervene early and prevent abuse. Omitting that the initiative's sole purpose is preventing child sexual abuse gives a misleading impression of the federally funded program.

4 claims checked
3 sources
Checked 3 Nov 2026
Main source: Stop It Now! Australia works to keep children free from harm - Jesuit Social Services

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The Reel we checked

@3aw693

"It is immoral, it is disgusting." Tom Elliott was shocked to read some of the statements on this website funded by Australian taxpayers. Click the link in bio…

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What we checked

In April this year, the Australian federal government paid ten million dollars to launch a website aimed at pedophiles.“A major milestone has been reached with the launch of Stop It Now! Australia, the nation’s first federally funded and nationally available child sexual abuse offending prevention service, operated by”Stop It Now! Australia works to keep children free from harm - Jesuit Social Services + 1 more

The website funded by the government states: Don't beat yourself up about having sexual fantasies about children.“Jesuit Social Services has received funding from the Australian Government to establish and deliver an expanded child sexual abuse prevention service which includes a free and anonymous helpline, webs”New Federal funding will support child safety: Jesuit Social Services - Jesuit Social Services

The website states: Rather than trying to change your sexual interest, your task is to learn how to best manage your thoughts, feelings, and fantasies.“Jesuit Social Services has received funding from the Australian Government to establish and deliver an expanded child sexual abuse prevention service which includes a free and anonymous helpline, webs”New Federal funding will support child safety: Jesuit Social Services - Jesuit Social Services

The website states: Compassion and self-acceptance can be helpful since having a sexual interest in children can feel lonely.“Dee Nicholas, a forensic psychologist and helpline co-ordinator, said the most common reason people had called the helpline was for support to stop offending. 'Often we hear from callers that they rec”Boost for Stop It Now! Australia helpline which supports those at risk of committing sexual abuse in bid to protect children

What we couldn't check

We couldn't find the full original video, so we can't say what was said just before or after this clip.

What the Reel doesn't tell you

The website is part of Stop It Now! Australia, an evidence-based child sexual abuse prevention program recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse to intervene early and prevent individuals from committing crimes against children.
Jesuit Social Services reports that Stop It Now! Australia implements recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse to intervene early and prevent harm to children (Jesuit Social Services).
Psychologists with the service note that the helpline operates under mandatory reporting rules, requiring practitioners to alert authorities if child abuse has occurred or is imminent (Sydney Morning Herald).

Short version

🧩 HALF THE STORY 👉 3AW radio host Tom Elliott criticized the federal government for spending $10 million on a website offering self-help advice for adults with sexual thoughts about children. 🧩 Left out: The website is part of Stop It Now! Australia, an evidence-based child sexual abuse prevention program recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse to intervene early and prevent individuals from committing crimes against children. 🔎 Full check: send this Reel to @checkthis.chat