2017 Federal Identity Forum & Homeland Security

Disruption in the Dark Web

While the Internet and advances in technology over the past few decades have allowed us to create many amazing things, they have also introduced a new threat and dimension to crimes against children. The Internet makes content and abuse easier to identify and participate in; like-minded individuals can create communities to justify their actions; digital imagery and videos allow abuse to be shared globally at the push of a button; and private and encrypted networks protect individuals that participate in the most egregious types of abuse.  Thorn works with technology companies, anti-trafficking organizations, survivors and law enforcement to combat child sexual exploitation through victim identification and support, deterring predatory behavior and making platforms and online environments more hostile to abuse.  In this briefing, you will learn about the successes and challenges developing products to fight child sexual exploitation in the dark web.