Former Neighbours star and abuse survivor Madeleine West leaves role at Crime Stoppers International over porn partnership

The fallout from Crime Stoppers’ controversial partnership with a pornography publisher continues, with one of the organisation’s biggest names cutting ties.

Australian actress and former Neighbours star Madeleine West has walked away from her role at Crime Stoppers International over the organisation’s controversial partnership with a pornography publisher.

Ms West joined Crime Stoppers International’s Board of Advisors last year to help prevent and stamp out the sexual exploitation of children but has now cut ties with the organisation.

Crime Stoppers International in January announced it had partnered with Aylo, the publisher of pornography websites including PornHub and Brazzers, to “enhance co-operation and collaboration between the online adult industry, civil society and law enforcement in combating online harms and exploitation”.

“I am a continuing supporter of Crime Stoppers International’s work,” Ms West said.

Former Neighbours star Madeleine West has left her role with Crime Stoppers International because of their alignment with a controversial pornography publisher. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“At this very moment in time, I cannot reconcile the project with Aylo given the nature of my own experience and the victim survivors I work closely with.

“I do hope this project will extend law enforcement capabilities and disrupt access to vulnerable people into the future”.

Ms West has become a staunch advocate for victim survivors of child sexual abuse after sharing her own harrowing experience.

Crime Stoppers International’s association with Aylo stirred controversy, with SA Police suspending all activities with Crime Stoppers SA in the wake of the announcement.

That partnership was resumed after Crime Stoppers Australia announced it had severed ties with Crime Stoppers International.

Ms West announced the decision on social media this week, saying she could not “reconcile any association, no matter how tenuous, with any organisation that stands accused of supporting and profiting from the abuse and exploitation of children”.

Crime Stoppers International deputy chief executive Hayley van Loon said the organisation’s “commitment to safety and protection speaks for itself”.

SA Police suspended activities with Crime Stoppers SA after Crime Stoppers International’s partnership with Aylo was announced. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards

“CSI’s review of Aylo’s trust and safety processes aims to address the spread of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), human trafficking, revenge porn, and other online harms,” Ms van Loon said.

“Despite the intense scrutiny, this review seeks to set new standards for protecting vulnerable people online in a largely unregulated space.

“As times change, we must adapt.

“Ignoring the adult entertainment industry when a company like Aylo approaches Crime Stoppers International for help in enhancing safety would be irresponsible.

“Crime Stoppers International have an opportunity to create positive change, preventing new victims and supporting survivors.”

In a statement, Crime Stoppers Australia said its board had unanimously voted to end its relationship with its international partner.

“Prior to making this decision, Crime Stoppers Australia had actively urged the international body to sever ties with Aylo/ECP as a priority, particularly noting publicly available details regarding recent or current legal actions involving Aylo,” the statement said.