Exploitation and Empathy: The Intersection of Perpetration and Victimhood in the Digital Age

• In Event: Uncovering Insights from the Dread Darknet Forum: Understanding Offender and Victim Experiences and Perspectives

Abstract

Several articles have been written about the use of the internet to facilitate sex work. However, the way in which criminals use the offer of sex or a relationship to extort individuals is not as well-researched, particularly how the darknet can be used to learn about blackmail, sexploitation, and e-whoring (BS&E). Our original dataset contained 216 Dread forum posts selected using 6 keywords associated with BS&E. 92% of our initial posts, coded based on 10 themes, met the criteria for at least one theme. Our review of posts and comments on the Dread darknet forum reveals that this platform serves as a resource for both victims and perpetrators seeking guidance on issues concerning BS&E. Unlike fraud, which is seen as acceptable, there is significant pushback against individuals discussing, workshopping, or conducting these activities on the forum. Additionally, even when utilizing these tactics to identify and target individuals suspected of being pedophiles, members of the forum who engage with these posts discourage others from participating in such activities. Finally, our analysis also shows that an informal hierarchy of acceptable criminal behavior exists on the Dread forum beyond suitable targets.

Authors

• Kenji Logie, John Jay College of Criminal Justice / CUNY Graduate Center

• Noreen Ali, CUNY Graduate Center / John Jay College of Criminal Justice

• Marie-Helen Maras, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

• Emily Ives, University of Virginia