An Investigation into the Dark Web and Child Abuse — Hunting Warhead

Dying to Learn [a Recommendation Series] — An Exposé

Hunting Warhead is a CBC Podcast that follows an internet security expert and a journalist on an investigative journey across the globe to expose the large criminal network in the dark web. Not just dealing with illegal things on the black market, but something that may trigger anger within you, and that’s targeting vulnerable beings — child abuse.

Podcast Details

Length: 6 episodes; 45min-1hour each (around 6 hours in total)
Available on: Spotify | Apple Music | CBC Podcasts
Contents: [TW] child pornography, child abuse, dark web

Summary + Some Takeaways

[The following contents may be uncomfortable to read, do proceed with caution]

In the 1st episode, they got in contact with 10 people that they identified to be child pornography users to understand their perspective of this situation. 7 out of 10 admitted to downloading these photos, but what is more sickening is that they don’t call it child pornography at all, and many of them deny abusing children (and the potential to hurt them in the future). The quote below is in response to the possibility of them harming children (now and future).

“No. No. No, that’s way off. No damn way. I’ve been stupid, but not that stupid. Everything’s great with the woman I’m with. I’m not the type who could have … Is it hot in here? I have to get back now.”

This is another user in response to the files he downloaded.

“I’ve never watched films with babies. I’ve watched films with young girls. I reckon they’re around the same age as my daughter.”

Another discovery was that many of these consumers are family men with wives and children. Looks are deceiving. In Episode 2, the podcast delves into the search for ‘WarHead’, working with the police, finding news articles and even travelling all the way to Australia to confront them. They eventually found out it was Benjamin Faulkner and his accomplices.

The next few episodes touched on the moral lines of using the network to draw out more perpetrators…