Last week, the National Crime Agency (NCA) announced it had uncovered an international online network linked to organised drug-facilitated sexual abuse. Members of the network sedated women before raping and abusing them and in many cases, these crimes were committed within long-term, trusting relationships, echoing the high-profile Gisèle Pelicot case in France.
Since October last year, the NCA have identified more than 270 individuals linked to the online platforms through which men would seek advice on the best drugs to use, how to administer them, avoid detection and coordinate rape and abuse of victims and survivors.
Ciara Bergman, CEO of Rape Crisis England & Wales has said:
“The scale and coordination of drug-facilitated sexual abuse uncovered on these forums is deeply alarming. Sadly, though, they are not surprising - these abuses are rooted in the same misogyny and objectification which underpin violence against women and girls the world over.
We mustn't forget that many of these abuses were filmed, shared and viewed by others on these forums. Online platforms have been allowed to profit from extremist acts of violence against women and girls for far too long. Violent and extreme pornography in particular normalise - and in many instances encourage - rape, abuse and the dehumanisation of women for the gratification of men.
Rape Crisis England & Wales welcome the NCA’s announcement of a coordinated police crackdown targeting the men using these forums. This recognises the scale and seriousness of what is happening and the urgent need to tackle it. But policing alone cannot address this evolving threat; preventing drug-facilitated sexual violence requires sustained action across law enforcement, government, technology companies and specialist support services to disrupt perpetrators, strengthen regulation of online platforms, hold offenders to account and ensure every survivor can access the support they need to come to terms with these appalling experiences and rebuild their lives in its aftermath.
We support and think today, of every woman who has experienced rape and sexual abuse. For many survivors, this news will be extraordinarily frightening and confusing. Many women will now be asking themselves whether they could have been affected, whether they can trust those closest to them, and what that will mean for them.
To anyone reading this who is worried that they, or someone they know, may have experienced drug-facilitated sexual assault or rape: you do not have to go through this alone. Whether something happened recently or years ago, support is available. You can contact the Rape Crisis 24/7 Support Line at any time of day or night, whenever the time is right. We’re here to listen, believe, and support you to understand your options. We’ll always believe you”.