Thank you all so much. I can't find the right words to say how much I appreciate the advice and kindness, and even just people understanding why I need to know. I'm sorry if I miss replying to anyone, I'm grateful for all the replies.
@BertieDrapper I am so sorry that you're in a very similar situation. My heart goes out to you. It's weirdly reassuring to me that you are also going no contact as it doesn't seem like this is the most common option. I hope you're ok. You can PM me if you ever need to talk.
@Nicknacky Is the Lucy Faithful one the 'Stop it Now' charity? I went on their forum for family and friends but it made me very uncomfortable as there were so so many people making excuses for their loved ones and talking about the 'evil internet' and 'the addiction' and things.
@TinnedPearsForPudding It blows my mind that social services can tell you to keep your child away from someone but no details as to why. How can they expect someone to make an informed decision then?!
@Malbecqueen and @Bluntness100I hadn't thought about how a solicitor could help - definitely worth thinking about, thank you.
Thank you for the link @SoulofanAggron - definitely something to try if I can't find out. I hope they wouldn't inform him though.
@Snowpatrolling That's a shameful sentence for such a terrible crime, it really doesn't do justice to the poor victims at all.
@jessstan2 Thank you for all your kind words. My brother is in his mid 30s. Unfortunately I don't think this is a case of something you can just look up on a website. I think there are chat rooms and files and dark shit involved.
@GuiltyBark ...and shaking off the image of them as the sweet cheerful little boy/happy teen or whatever and realising you didn't know them at all, it's really disturbing - this EXACTLY. It's that thought that breaks my heart the most, thinking of that little boy, my little playmate.
@Onedistraughtdm thank you for sharing your story. I can't imagine how painful that is for you. A brother hurts, but a son must be beyond devastating. I know my mum feels she has personally failed somehow.
@orangesandapplesandpearsohmy Yes I absolutely agree with you, that's completely the wrong term for it. Indecent images. I'm usually very very clear about calling it 'images of child sexual abuse' because I strongly believe in not hiding behind words but I didn't want to put something triggering in a trigger warning, if that makes sense.
@Consistentlytired I'm so sorry that you've been through something like this. I feel so sad and tired reading this thread in some ways - what horrible things family members have to go through because of someone else's actions. And extra painful when it's a person like a dad who is meant to be your protector and someone to look up to.
@Kaykay066 You sound like you've been through a lot of anger with this too. It really is so wrong that families aren't able to protect their children so that the privacy of the criminal is protected instead. And I genuinely don't understand anyone having a child with someone like this.
I'm googling a lot of different things, checking the papers and twitter, trying to call the court and will add the pf to that as well in time. I won't contact any 'hunter' group (to be fair I don't think that was suggested - just that their websites might carry details), but no I won't be giving them anything. As much as I'm devastated by what he's done, I don't want him or any of my other family members to face vigilante justice.