The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) has arrested at least eight individuals in connection with online forums that allegedly encourage the drugging and rape of women. The agency has identified 270 people linked to these networks, where footage of coordinated sexual abuse is reportedly shared.
These investigations target a form of abuse often perpetrated by intimate partners over extended periods, according to the NCA. Deputy Director Nigel Leary stated that drug-facilitated sexual assault is becoming increasingly organized and is no longer an isolated behavior. Since October 2025, the NCA has linked the 270 individuals to one specific forum and its associated websites.
Evidence collected by the NCA has been shared with international law enforcement agencies. Fourteen investigations are ongoing, and eight victims have been identified and are receiving support. The NCA has collaborated with prosecutors and safeguarding bodies to identify and assist victims.
Representatives from law enforcement agencies in Brazil, Canada, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United States convened in London to exchange information on suspected offenders, victims, and online groups. This international cooperation led to the identification of over 150 offenders and victims, as well as the discovery of four new online communities.
Siobhan Blake, the national Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) lead for rape and serious sexual offenses, described the abuse as among the most horrific she has encountered, noting that victims suffer sexual offenses within their homes in a profound breach of trust. She added that this offending thrives in secrecy, and the criminal justice system aims to expose it to support victims and survivors.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Millichap, director of the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection, advised that victims may not immediately realize they have been victimized. She encouraged anyone who feels something is not right to seek help, emphasizing that proof or clear memory is not required. Police and support services are committed to listening to victims, taking them seriously, and providing necessary care.
The case draws parallels to that of Gisèle Pelicot, a French woman who discovered her husband had repeatedly drugged her and allowed dozens of men to assault her. Pelicot, now 73, waived her right to anonymity to campaign for victims, while her ex-husband was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Information on support for sexual abuse and violence is available through BBC Action Line.