Paedophile Hunters: A Critical Review of Practice.

This dissertation examined the methods paedophile hunters employ during their investigations and sting operations, with particular note to the contentious aspects of their practice and how these practices can delegitimise their work. This project utilises an integrative literature review methodology to apply empirically tested theoretical knowledge to this contemporary topic in order to contribute to the base of knowledge. The main themes identified in this project were: online public shaming, disintegrative shaming, inconsistent investigations, and poor accountability and transparency. This project proposes a harm reduction approach to paedophile hunting in which the aim is to legitimise paedophile hunter groups through concentrating on intelligence collection and ceasing practices which can cause harm. This proposition highlights the inadequate elements of paedophile hunter practice and seeks to ameliorate these aspects of practice in order to reduce harm to the targets of their investigations and their families, the criminal justice system, and the paedophile hunter groups themselves.