Guest Blog: The Shadow of Self-Proclaimed Vigilantism: When the Accused Are the True Victims
In this short post, BHD, who recently registered on Mu's forum discusses the new wave of vigilantism sweeping the internet.
In the past few days, I discovered the existence of so-called “pedophile hunters” (who openly call themselves that) on social platforms, groups whose sole purpose is to destroy the lives of anyone unlucky enough to cross their path. Their victims often include teenagers aged 17 to 20.
Under the pretext of “protecting children,” and through acts of violence, manipulation, and blatant violation of the law, these “squadrist” groups act as judges and police, setting up elaborate traps against pedophiles. (It’s worth reiterated that, unless proven otherwise, being a pedophile is not a crime!)
In this article, I do not intend to debate the absurdity of labeling a 14-year-old boy as an “indefensible child” when he is fully capable of making his own choices regarding online interactions. My goal is simply to denounce a trend that, as someone who respects the law and is a pedophile myself, has disturbed me deeply.
1. Incitement to Crime
One of the most repulsive aspects of these groups’ behavior is their use of deception. They contact people online, pretending to be young teenagers (usually between 13 and 15 years old) interested in forming friendships with older individuals. As is only too understandable, these conversations, which often last for months, gradually shift towards more emotional and sexual content. The victims are blatantly tricked into exchanging photos, which may lead them to commit crimes they would never have committed otherwise. In a civil legal system, incitement to crime is a serious offense; even law enforcement agencies have strict restrictions on the use of undercover agents, precisely to prevent the state from “creating” crimes rather than preventing them.
2. Public Shaming and Media Harassment
Once a trust relationship has been established, the victim is lured to a public place where they are subject to public humiliation. Filming someone without their consent and then posting their face and sensitive personal information on social media is nothing short of defamation and a violation of privacy. This kind of public shaming causes permanent damage to the reputation of individuals who have not even been convicted by any court, completely ignoring the presumption of innocence.
3. Violence and Coercion: The Law of the Jungle
These violent groups, who imagine themselves to be on the set of the movie “Death Wish”, subject their victims to physical and psychological abuse. They use force to detain them, beat them, humiliate them, and even blackmail them into making “confession videos” under the threat of calling the police—though, of course, the police are always called in the end. How can anyone fail to see who the real criminals here are? The use of physical and psychological coercion to extract confessions is an utterly unacceptable practice in a democracy.
4. The Dangerous Role of Law Enforcement
If, as reported, there is clear collusion between authorities and these groups, we are facing a serious breakdown of institutional mechanisms. Police have a duty to act in accordance with legal and transparent protocols. Delegating the maintenance of order to fanatical vigilantes or ignoring their violent actions means abdicating to their responsibilities and legitimizing a system where anyone can take justice into their own hands, based on mere suspicions or carefully crafted traps.
Conclusion
The fight against criminals and sexual predators is certainly a priority, but it must not be carried out through illegality. The kind of “perfunctory justice” practiced on social media does nothing to heal society; instead, it harms it further, replacing the rule of law with the violence of viral videos. It is imperative that authorities take action not against the victims of these attacks but against those who believe that a social media profile gives them the right to violate human rights and state laws. These groups are clearly illegal and should be shut down immediately!
Please feel free to discuss this article on MAP Forum, or your preferred social media.