Why would someone admit to a felony on a public forum? The reasons vary, but mental health experts point to three primary motivators.
Alternatively, many of these threads are likely fictional. Created by edgelords or anti-feminist agitators, their goal is to "trigger" survivors, derail conversations about consent, and prove that Reddit is a free-speech bastion where even rapists have a voice. The fact that the thread might be fake does not reduce its harm; the performative act alone is a form of psychological violence.
Generally, no. The First Amendment (in the US) protects speech that is merely "repugnant." However, if a commenter asks "How can I do what you did?" and the OP provides instructions, that crosses into criminal solicitation or aiding and abetting. Ask A Rapist Thread Reddit
Furthermore, these threads interfere with active investigations. If a victim is reading a confession that matches their assault (same date, location, or method), the thread can be subpoenaed. Reddit has released IP logs in response to federal warrants in the past, turning an anonymous "Ask A Rapist" thread into a direct line to a defense attorney.
Some predators derive secondary gratification from the attention, even negative attention. The "Ask a Rapist" thread provides a massive audience. For a narcissistic offender, answering 500 questions about his methodology is a form of psychological grandiosity. He controls the narrative, reframes his violence as "intellectual curiosity," and experiences a dopamine rush from the notoriety. Why would someone admit to a felony on a public forum
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." As one survivor wrote on a mental health
The "Ask A Rapist" thread requires two parties: the confessor and the questioner. The comment sections are arguably just as disturbing as the OP. Users flock to these threads to ask hyper-specific, often clinical questions.
Reddit’s voting system often fails in these threads. While the OP is typically downvoted to oblivion (negative karma), the thread itself garners thousands of upvotes due to the sheer shock value, pushing it to the front page of r/all, where it attracts even more distressed viewers.
Proponents of radical transparency (a minority, but vocal) argue that "Ask a Rapist" threads have informational value. They claim that by understanding the logic (or illogic) of offenders, we can better educate potential victims.
This argument fails for three reasons: