Criminal investigators have uncovered a “truly international network” of organised drug-facilitated sexual assault, with victims sedated before being raped and abused – a phenomenon the National Crime Agency (NCA) likened to the Gisèle Pelicot case in France.
The NCA said online networks, many as yet unidentified by law enforcement, allow offenders to arrange to rape and abuse victims or film assaults. Since it began investigating an online forum in October last year, the agency has identified more than 270 individuals linked to that forum and its successors.
“NCA uncovers global network of 270+ users arranging drug-facilitated rapes, with victims often sedated by trusted partners.”
“We believe we have uncovered a truly international network with group members identified in dozens of countries spanning every continent,” said Nigel Leary, the NCA’s deputy director.
The agency has disseminated more than 210 “intelligence packages” relating to suspects and potential victims to law enforcement partners in the UK and overseas, with more than 90% sent abroad. Domestically, the packages have resulted in at least 14 separate investigations, with eight victim-survivors safeguarded. The Sun reports that eight arrests have been announced by the NCA, in addition to those already facing prosecution in a separate Manchester case.
In Manchester, 14 men will face court after a husband allegedly drugged his wife over two decades and arranged for men to sexually abuse her. That case first alerted investigators to the wider international network. A similar Europol operation has identified more than 150 potential victims and perpetrators and revealed four online forums.
Leary said: “Organised drug-facilitated sexual assault is no longer isolated behaviour. It is increasingly being conducted by networked groups and enabled by digital platforms.” He added that users “discuss in graphic detail how they want to drug their victims to commit the most heinous sexual abuse”, inviting others to take part, sharing methodologies and developing tactics to avoid detection.
“In many of the cases we’ve seen so far, individuals have become victims of sexual assault crimes while sedated,” Leary said, warning that victims may not even be aware it happened.
Siobhan Blake of the Crown Prosecution Service urged victims to come forward: “If you are concerned about things that are happening to you, please come forward.”
The NCA said crimes were often perpetrated by those who “utilise the existence of committed, trusting and often long-term relationships to perpetrate and facilitate offending”. Leary described the scale as “deeply concerning” and warned that other groups remain as yet unidentified by law enforcement.