Abstract

The dark web poses a significant threat to vulnerable populations, especially women, by enabling various forms of exploitation, including human trafficking, pornography, and cyberbullying. It serves as a vast marketplace for criminals, generating an estimated $500,000 daily. This article explores the mechanisms behind dark web exploitation, its causes, and the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating these crimes. The dark web’s concealed nature offers criminals anonymity, making it exceedingly difficult to trace and prosecute offenders. Recent statistics reveal a concerning trend, with at least 20% of cybercrimes in India involving dark web-related attackers, according to a report by cybersecurity firm Lisianthus. One particularly alarming form of exploitation is revenge porn, which involves the non-consensual distribution of sexual images and videos. Although many such sites have been shut down, the dark web remains a platform for these illegal activities. For instance, "Pink Meth," a site originally on the surface web, transitioned to the dark web, allowing users to submit explicit content anonymously before its seizure. On the surface web, platforms like Google have already removed revenge porn from search results upon request, but such efforts are less effective on the dark web. These statistics underscore the critical need for coordinated action between public and private sectors to protect individuals, particularly children, from online sexual exploitation. The article advocates for international collaboration, advanced technological tools, and the continuous evolution of legal frameworks to tackle dark web exploitation effectively. Additionally, it calls for increased funding for survivor services, a multi-pronged approach to addressing the root causes of exploitation, enhanced prevention strategies, and robust support for victim recovery. Ultimately, the research aims to raise awareness and promote policies that safeguard the online safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals.

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