Child sexual abuse material networks on the darkweb: a multi-method approach

Abstract

Because of the development of the internet and the associated digital opportunities, the crimes of possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) have gone through tremendous changes and developments over the last decennia. Nowadays, many CSAM offenders access and distribute CSAM through the Darkweb, the hidden and encrypted part of the internet. This book offers a description of the criminal process and the organization of CSAM fora on the Darkweb. Moreover, it describes how ‘keyplayers’ on such fora can be identified, and distinguishes various profiles and behavioral patterns of offenders active on Darkweb CSAM fora. Finally, the book describes how trust on the online fora is established. The studies described in this book provide an important, evidence-based contribution to the current knowledge on online CSAM offending. Extensively discussing practical implications for law enforcement and other professional organizations, this book is of relevance to academics as well as practitioners.