"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."
Content Warning: The following article discusses sexual violence, predatory behavior, and graphic descriptions of assault. Reader discretion is strongly advised. Ask A Rapist Thread Reddit
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: "Throwaway account for obvious reasons
"Current predator here. I have assaulted multiple people and never been caught. Ask me why I do it." I have done extensive therapy
Alternatively, the darker versions appear on less moderated subreddrafts:
But consider the economics of the thread. Every upvote, every comment (even angry ones), and every share boosts the algorithm. Reddit’s engagement engine rewards controversy. By interacting with the thread, the public—even with good intentions—is signaling to Reddit that this content is "valuable."
When a major "Ask A Rapist" thread went viral in June 2021 (archived under r/TrueOffMyChest), it took Reddit admins 11 hours to remove it. In internet time, that is an eternity. During that window, the thread received 4,000+ comments. Survivors who stumbled upon it reported panic attacks and flashbacks, leading to a wave of mental health crises that moderators had to handle via Reddit’s "Crisis Support" reports. Is it illegal to ask a rapist questions on Reddit? 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.