For many survivors of sexual abuse, coming forward can take significant time. Many individuals will wait for the abuser to leave their life, for example if they are in a care setting or being taught by their abuser in an education setting.

The passage of time sometimes spans many years. This is often one of the biggest concerns for survivors, that they will have no contemporaneous evidence, so they fail to come forward. Questions are often faced such as "Is it too late?" and "Will any evidence still be available?" can discourage individuals from seeking justice.

However, advances in digital forensic technology are transforming the way sexual abuse cases are being investigated. These developments are enabling the police to uncover evidence, identify offenders and allow the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to proceed to criminal trial and secure justice for survivors in circumstances where this may previously have been far more difficult.

A landmark conviction demonstrating the power of digital forensics

A recent case prosecuted by the CPS demonstrates the significant role that digital forensic evidence can play in securing justice for survivors of sexual abuse.

Darren Welsby, aged 48, was sentenced to 23 years' imprisonment at Manchester Crown Court on 20 October 2026 after being convicted of numerous offences, including the rape and sexual assault of a child under 13, causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, distributing indecent images of children and taking indecent photographs of a child.

The investigation began in 2019 after images of child abuse were discovered on the dark web. Investigators from the National Crime Agency and prosecutors from the CPS worked together to identify the individual responsible for the abuse illustrated in the images.

Experts were able to establish that the abuse images had been taken on the same device as other photographs known to have been created using one of Welsby’s phone.

The expert identified not just the make and specification of the camera, but the exact device these were taken on. In addition, a forensic anthropologist compared photographs of Welsby’s hands with images of the perpetrator’s hands on the dark web, concluding that they belonged to the same individual. This evidence enabled investigators to identify the offender, despite the device used to commit the offences having been destroyed years before the arrest.

What is especially noteworthy about this case is that specialist forensic evidence was relied upon to secure the prosecution of Welsby. According to the CPS, this was one of the first cases of its kind in which digital forensic techniques were successfully used when the offending device was no longer available.

The case highlights how modern investigative methods can overcome evidential challenges that may previously have prevented prosecutions from proceeding and demonstrates the growing role of technology in securing justice for survivors.

We are seeing an increasing amount of image-based abuse and it is hopefully that these advances will assist greatly in holding perpetrators accountable.

How will this help survivors?

Cases such as this provide an important reminder that the passage of time does not necessarily prevent justice from being obtained. In the case mentioned above, the investigation started in 2019, and the sexual abuse had been carried out over a perd of eight years prior to this.

Today’s advances in technology, together with specialist investigative techniques, means that evidence can often still be identified and analysed many years after the offending has taken place.

While every case is unique, advances in digital forensics are helping police uncover crucial evidence, identify offenders and support survivors in their pursuit of justice.

As technology continues to evolve, we have seen the negative with increases in crimes such as voyeurism and sharing of images on the dark web, but the above case shows advances in technology also creates new opportunities to hold perpetrators accountable and helping survivors obtain the answers, recognition and justice they deserve.

Of course, the recent removal of limitation (the requirement to bring a claim within three years of the abuse) in claims relating to child sexual abuse, also assists to remove a previous significant hurdle with historical sexual abuse claims.

How can Switalskis help?

Every survivor of abuse deserves justice. This not only includes the abuser’s taking accountability for their crimes, but for the survivors to find their voice, take back control and access compensation for the harm they have suffered.

At Switalskis, our specialist abuse lawyers have decades of experience in representing survivors of child sexual exploitation. We understand that such cases are very emotional for clients and are often legally complex, therefore we are dedicated to providing a supportive and professional environment in which our clients can feel confident in our services. We are committed to ensuring our clients receive the compensation they deserve.

If you have been impacted and would like to discuss your experience in confidence, our specialist abuse team can help. Call 0808 258 8041 or email help@switalskis.com .