This is a research report written by Protect Children and commissioned by Ofcom which presents the results of findings from a dark web survey of perpetrators who are actively searching for child sexual abuse material. The report explores how perpetrators use and exploit digital platforms and services designs to view, host and distribute this type of content.
As the UK’s online safety regulator, tackling the spread of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) online is one of Ofcom’s top priorities. Given the enormity and urgency of this challenge, it is vital that we equip ourselves with the best possible evidence, intelligence, and insights to inform our work.
While we have conducted a lot of research among victims, and potential victims, we identified a notable gap in research about how perpetrators are using online services to exploit children. This will help Ofcom design targeted safety measures to protect users, reduce risks, and identify early opportunities for prevention of harm.
To strengthen our evidence, we commissioned Protect Children, a global expert in this field of research, to carry out an anonymous global survey among perpetrators who have used known keyword terms to search for CSAM on the dark web. Using this method, we achieved a sample of over 20,000 online CSAM perpetrators, with the fieldwork finishing in January 2026.