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JOHANNESBURG - A massive amount of child sexual abuse material is traded on the dark web, a hidden part of the internet that cannot be accessed through regular browsers.
This is according to Jayant Mistri, a director at cybersecurity company, Nihka Technology Group, based in Gauteng,
Painting a grim picture of the dark web Mistri explains that this secret space allows users to remain anonymous, making it easier for criminals to operate undetected.
"When people engage in illegal activities, their first thought is, ‘How to not be found?’ That’s where the dark web comes in. It’s a platform that lets them hide behind a curtain, making it difficult for authorities to track them," he says.
To gain access to this platform, users need the right skills and knowledge. Once inside, they can find vast criminals networks, including those peddling child sexual abuse material on a massive scale, Mistri adds.
To get away with such crimes, he says predators use sophisticated tools such as encryption, virtual private networks (VPNs), and cryptocurrency to cover their tracks.
"Finding these perpetrators on the normal web is hard, but it’s even harder on the dark web. They use the latest technology to keep evading authorities. With the likes of IA, it is becoming a double-aged sword."
Mistri says that, just like a drug dealer on the streets works for a drug lord, those dealing with child sexual abuse material operate within a larger criminal network.
He explains that the perpetrators do not work in silos, but rather as part of a larger network which makes it difficult to track down those truly in control.
He says predators will target young victims by luring them through social media, gaming platforms, and even false promises of modelling contracts or job opportunities.
Before these children realise it, they are trapped in a world they could never imagine.
They take the bait and are then handed over to the next person, someone higher up, who pulls them deeper into this sordid environment, Mitris reveals.
“You never really know who you're dealing with. You might think you're talking to someone in South Africa, but in reality, they could be operating from Asia or Europe.”
Each perpetrator has a different modus operandi, but the common thread is patience and creating emotional bonds.
Mistri explains that once a victim is captured, rescuing them becomes incredibly difficult.
“Their personality starts to change. They feel violated but struggle to share their experience because they fear no one will believe them. These perpetrators use psychological manipulation to weaken their victims, gradually pulling them from one stage to the next. Before they know it, they find themselves in front of a camera, often alongside other victims,” he says.
Along with the dark web, mainstream social media platforms have become a hunting grounds for child predators.
Speaking to eNCA following the arrest of a Midrand couple accused of possessing and distributing at least 10 million child sexual abuse videos and images, Ephraim Tlhako from the Film and Publication Board said there is renewed concern about the crime.
He warned that many children unknowingly expose themselves to danger simply by sharing explicit pictures either with a partner or friend.
“We are seeing children at a very young age having access to devices. From there they take images or videos of themselves. Some of this material is self-generated but what happens when the device needs to go for repairs? That material gets backed up and you never know where it's going to end up”.
Tlhako said young adults need to be more aware and responsible, as innocently taken videos and pictures could end up in the wrong hands and later appear on websites.
He also called for greater online child safety, stressing how online behaviour could have long-term consequences. Tlhako urged parents to monitor their children's phone usage, and the social media platforms they are using.
But for children who become victims of this crime, the damage can be permanent.
Clinical psychologist Vuyolwethu Tuluma explains that many survivors suffer from severe psychological trauma.
In the short term, Tuluma says the child will be anxious, fearful, confused, shameful and withdrawn, but in the long term, this manifests in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), clinical depression, trust issues, relationship difficulties and increased risk of self-harm.
"With children, it becomes very clear early on in terms of behavioural changes. These include nightmares, regression or even becoming clingy, mood swings and sometimes aggression.
"Teens on the other hand present risk-taking behaviours, such as self-harm or having multiple sexual partners, academic decline, isolation and difficulty forming healthy relationships.”
Unlike physical abuse which leaves visible scars, the digital nature of child sexual abuse material means victims are constantly re-traumatised every time their content is seen.
Tuluma says the first step to supporting a victim is to validate their feelings and create a safe space for open communication.
- by Zandile Khumalo