Last updated on July 29th, 2020

This six-part podcast series explores online child sexual abuse material, a problem that is too pressing to ignore. At times, the graphic descriptions can be hard to listen to. However, ignoring the problem does not make it go away. Shining light on this issue can help to catch abusers and criminals involved in child abuse and pornography. Listeners will hear from the law enforcement, charities, victims and even criminals at the center of this issue.

Pixels from a Crime Scene is brought to you by Cambridge Podcasts for the Internet Watch Foundation, an English charity that works to make the internet a safer place across the world, which includes finding and categorizing online child sexual abuse content. This podcast is not for the faint of heart and can be graphic in its description of child sexual abuse. This podcast is focused on cases in the United Kingdom, but listeners from any country will find the episodes enlightening. The full series is available now. 

We were fortunate to talk with Thomas Dyson about the podcast, how they differentiate from other podcasts, and their future plans in podcasting. See below for our full Q&A.

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | Podchaser

DISCOVER PODS: How’d you get into podcasting?

THOMAS DYSON: As technology moves forward at a swift pace, the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) stands at the forefront of a global fight against a criminal online world where the sharing, trading and even selling of explicit images and videos of children being sexually abused happens every day. Most people are unaware of this worrying online issue and at times it’s a hard subject to talk about. But, we feel using the medium of podcasting to communicate with people not only allows us to delve more deeply into the subject and shine a light on a little-known topic, but it also helps us inform internet users on how to stay safe online and stop the re-victimisation of those who’ve been sexually abused in childhood.

DISCOVER PODS: In your own words, why should listeners tune in to Pixels from a Crime Scene?

THOMAS DYSON: Pixels from a Crime Scene is, at times, a very hard listen but it’s also ground-breaking, insightful and eye opening. We speak to victims of sexual abuse who have been groomed and coerced into the most heinous of acts.

We hear from criminals who’ve viewed images and videos of child sexual abuse online and didn’t understand the damage this would do not only to the victims of the abuse itself, but also to their own families and relationships with their own children.

Law enforcement talk in great detail about the growing global issue of child sexual exploitation and how for as little as £10 a criminal can ‘direct’ a child being sexually abused live online.

Representatives from some of the biggest tech companies on the planet talk to us about the issues of criminal content of their platforms and what they’re doing to tackle it. 

Colleagues from other non-profits speak to us about why images of children being sexually abuse online aren’t “just images”. They exacerbate and feed the abuse children experience, often in their own bedrooms and at the hands of someone they know. 

Analysts from the IWF discuss in detail how they do one of the hardest jobs in the world and what drives them to carry on. IWF team member, Isobel, offers a unique insight into what our analysts experience day-to-day and how it takes a special kind of person to assess and seek the removal of explicit and disturbing images and videos showing children, some as young as babies, suffering sexual abuse. 

DISCOVER PODS: What kind of feedback have you heard from your listeners?

THOMAS DYSON: Feedback from our listeners has been very positive. Colleagues who work within the child protection sector have praised the podcast for bringing the issue of child sexual abuse online into the spotlight. 

Listeners on Apple Podcasts (where we currently have a 5* rating) have said the following:

  • A very troubling topic presented with great sensitivity, but not shying away from the grim reality. 
  • The episodes are gripping, and I listened to the available episodes back to back. 
  • Incredible work by amazing people. Must listen. 
  • Beautifully put together and really interesting guests. 
  • Well done on an excellent and interesting podcast. 
  • The gravity of the subject is well balanced and gives us a fascinating insight into the hardworking team at IWF.
  • Delivered to a high standard throughout. Thank you for discussing and supporting such an important issue.

DISCOVER PODS: Describe your recording set up? What equipment are you using?

THOMAS DYSON: Most of the interviews were done in person using a Zoom H4n Pro and a Rode NTG 1 mic. Some of the interviewees were overseas for which we used Zencastr whose sound quality we found better than video recording platforms. We recorded the links at our local recording studio Zoo Audio and have a great team of young technical talent who between them composed the music and mixed.

DISCOVER PODS: What’s the biggest challenge you face as an indie podcaster?

THOMAS DYSON: Being new to podcasting and being a charity with a very specific remit creates unique challenges for IWF. Not only are we seeking new listeners, as all podcasters are, but we’re also bound by our charitable mission to raise awareness of the dangers of child sexual abuse online and how members of the public can report criminal images or videos they may see online. We need to speak about this subject matter in a sensitive manner while not avoiding the tough realities of what we see every day. With Pixels from a Crime Scene, we’ve tried to do this in a considerate way whilst not shying away from the difficult conversations everyone needs to hear. 

DISCOVER PODS: Where do you want to take your podcast?

THOMAS DYSON: As an organisation, our charitable mission is to rid the global internet of child sexual abuse. We can only do this in partnership with the public, law enforcement, non-profits, big-tech and global governments. As such, we would like to utilise this podcast as a catalyst to encourage engagement and conversation with those who can help us in the fight against the sexual exploitation of children.

DISCOVER PODS: What other podcasts are you listening to now?

THOMAS DYSON: Hunting Warhead

The Missing Cryptoqueen 

The Catch & Kill Podcast

The Mysterious Mr Epstein

This American Life

The Drop Out

DISCOVER PODS: Anything else you’d like to add?

THOMAS DYSON: If you see anything online which you feel may show children being sexually abused, you can report it anonymously to the IWF at iwf.org.uk

You can also donate towards our work at iwf.org.uk/fundraising. Just £10 could help us assess and remove an image showing a child being sexually abused, making the internet a safer place and stopping the continual cycle of victimisation for those who been affected by this terrible crime. 

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