As our Head of Marketing, Charlotte van Lanschot has been the driving force behind creating and shaping the voice of the INHOPE network. Over the past five years, she has managed to significantly increase public awareness of INHOPE and its mission, addressing the critical issue of child sexual abuse and exploitation. Charlotte not only enhanced the visibility of the INHOPE network but also established it as a trusted resource and critical actor in the field of child online safety.

As Charlotte prepares to move on from INHOPE and the Netherlands towards a new adventure, we took the opportunity to reflect on her impact on the network.

Why did you join INHOPE?

I wanted to apply my marketing and communication skills to tell a story everyone needs to hear. When I first learnt about INHOPE, it was the first time I understood the true scale of the issue of child sexual abuse and exploitation. It made me innately physically uncomfortable because it was an unknown and obviously unsettling topic. However, that discomfort quickly shifted into motivation as I realised just how important this network was and what I could do to support its growth.

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment at INHOPE?

My primary goal was to enhance the INHOPE network's visibility among stakeholders and establish INHOPE as a respected authority in the fight against online child sexual abuse and exploitation. While I'm proud of specific achievements, like the rebranding, boosting website traffic, optimising SEO, as well as the impactful campaigns and thought-leadership events I spearheaded. It is however the sum of these efforts that truly stands out, I believe our consistency is what significantly raised INHOPE's profile and influence.

What will you miss most about working here?

INHOPE provided me with the opportunity to establish, lead and grow the communications department. It was incredibly fulfilling to build something from the ground up and see it thrive. I appreciated the autonomy to create and implement processes that best served the organisation’s mission.

Do you have a vision for the organisation's future?

As the trust and safety landscape evolves rapidly, it's encouraging to see increased awareness among legislators worldwide. My hope for INHOPE is that the network continues to be a major stakeholder and resource in the fight against CSAM online, specifically through establishing new hotlines as they are essential to create country-ownership and a national entity to represent the importance of taking this societal issue.

What's next for you?

I'm planning to take a short break as I prepare to move to the United States in November. After that, I look forward to finding my next challenge within the Trust and Safety/Non-profit space. The specifics are still up in the air, but that is part of the excitement!


Connect with Charlotte, and follow her professional journey here.