Ask A Rapist Thread Reddit -

For survivors of sexual assault, stumbling upon an "Ask a Rapist" thread is a digital nightmare. Advocacy groups like RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) have issued explicit warnings about these threads.

As one survivor wrote on a mental health subreddit after the 2012 incident: "I came to Reddit to laugh at cat pictures. Instead, I read a man describe how he chose me—quiet, drunk, trusting—as if I were a coupon he clipped. I vomited. Then I deleted my account for two years."

While Reddit’s moderation team is swift to remove overtly violent content in 2024, archived versions of these threads (via sites like removeddit or reveddit) reveal a disturbing pattern. The hypothetical thread usually begins with a provocative prompt on a subreddit known for "No Stupid Questions" or "AMA" (Ask Me Anything) formats:

"Throwaway account for obvious reasons. I am a convicted rapist who served 8 years. I have been out for 3. I have done extensive therapy. AMA." Ask A Rapist Thread Reddit

Alternatively, the darker versions appear on less moderated subreddrafts:

"Current predator here. I have assaulted multiple people and never been caught. Ask me why I do it."

The responses from the OP (Original Poster) range from clinically detached to disturbingly boastful. Common themes include: For survivors of sexual assault, stumbling upon an

Content Warning: The following article discusses sexual violence, predatory behavior, and graphic descriptions of assault. Reader discretion is strongly advised.

In the sprawling, anonymous ecosystem of Reddit—a platform home to everything from wholesome animal photos to niche hobbyist communities—there exists a dark underbelly that most users pray they never encounter. Every few years, a screenshotted thread surfaces on Twitter (X) or TikTok, sending shockwaves through social media. The title is almost always the same: "Ask A Rapist."

The "Ask A Rapist" thread is not a singular, isolated event. Rather, it is a recurring, subcultural phenomenon that has appeared on various subreddits (most notoriously on r/AskReddit or banned forums like r/Incels and r/Jailbait) before being deleted by admins. These threads invite self-identified rapists to anonymously answer questions about their crimes, their psychology, and their victims. As one survivor wrote on a mental health

The public reaction is predictable: horror, disbelief, and morbid curiosity. But for criminologists, forensic psychologists, and survivors of sexual assault, these threads represent a terrifyingly raw dataset of predatory logic. This article dissects the history, the psychology, the community reactions, and the dangerous implications of the "Ask A Rapist" threads on Reddit.

The most common explanation is likely the least sinister: Attention-seeking. Studies on Reddit’s anonymous behavior show that a significant percentage of "confession" posts are fabricated. Users adopt the persona of a taboo figure to shock readers and harvest outrage. However, criminologists warn that even if most are fake, the few that are real cause immense damage.