The Unseen War: An Undercover Agent's Battle Against Dark Web Child Abuse
Greg Squire, a 50-year-old undercover investigator for Homeland Security, operates in the darkest corners of the internet, where child sexual abuse material circulates among more than one million active users. His work, which involves spending up to 18 hours daily befriending pedophiles on encrypted forums, is the subject of a new BBC Storyville documentary titled "The Darkest Web." The film, directed by Sam Piranty, follows Squire and a global team of agents over seven years, revealing both their critical successes and the profound personal costs of this harrowing mission.
A Life-Altering Moment
Squire's journey into this shadowy world began in 2008, about a year into his Homeland Security career after transitioning from being a postman. While at home in New Hampshire with his young children playing nearby, he opened a video from an email search warrant. The footage showed a man reading a picture book to a girl on a bed before sexually assaulting her. "It looked like her soul left," Squire recalls, describing the moment as intensely traumatic yet transformative. "What do you do with those emotions? Do they cripple you or do they fuel you?" he reflects. This early experience cemented his resolve to rescue victims, leading to the rescue of that girl shortly afterward.
The Scale of the Crisis
The dark web, originally created by the U.S. Department of Defense for spy operations, became publicly accessible in 2004. By 2012, pedophiles had established robust communities there, with forums now boasting over a million users. Squire describes these sites as "organized crime but the currency is children," with sophisticated management structures operating 24/7. He emphasizes the relentless nature of the work: "The kids don't get days off. Nor should you." With only about 50 undercover agents worldwide tackling this issue, the task is daunting, requiring constant triage to prioritize the most urgent cases.
Breakthroughs and Rescues
One landmark case in 2014 involved a girl known as "Lucy," whose abuse images showed her from age seven to twelve. Squire and his partner, Pete Manning, spent nine months analyzing details like bedroom furniture and brickwork to locate her in Texas. The perpetrator, her mother's boyfriend, was arrested before Lucy returned from school and is now serving a 70-year sentence. In the documentary, Squire reunites with Lucy, who tells him she prayed for the abuse to end and that he was the answer. "Meeting the victims doesn't ever really happen, so that was powerful," Squire says, praising her resilience.
Evolving Threats and Psychological Toll
The nature of the abuse has worsened over time, with victims becoming younger and violence increasing. Perpetrators are also younger, often in their 20s and technically savvy, contrary to older stereotypes. Squire attributes this shift to online communities that normalize such behavior, emboldening participants. The psychological impact on agents is severe; Squire compares it to "drinking poison." After years of immersion, he experienced marital breakdown, increased drinking, and suicidal thoughts. His partner, Pete Manning, intervened, leading Squire to therapy and a two-year sobriety period. He now uses woodworking and walks in the woods as coping mechanisms.
A Call for Vigilance and Resources
Squire advocates for greater public awareness and resources to match the criminals' vigor. He cautions against vigilante actions that could hinder investigations but urges everyone to be more vigilant, noting that every abused child has adults in their life who might notice signs. "If everyone is vigilant, maybe we can all make a difference," he asserts. The documentary aims to shed light on this hidden crisis, with Squire hoping it will generate anger and demand for action. The film airs on BBC Four and will be available on BBC iPlayer, with a six-part podcast also released on BBC Sounds.
Support resources include the NSPCC and Napac in the UK, Childhelp in the U.S., and Kids Helpline in Australia, offering help for victims and those concerned about abuse.
