A recent CNN investigation has exposed a disturbing global network of online communities where individuals reportedly exchange advice on how to drug and sexually assault women without detection. The extensive report, published on March 26, 2026, details how these groups operate across various platforms, including encrypted messaging apps and pornography websites. The findings have drawn significant attention, with activist Shannon Watts tweeting, > "CNN exposes a global 'online rape academy' that teaches men how to drug and rape women without detection. Over 62 million men attended in February alone."
The CNN "As Equals" investigation delves into "sleep porn" content, which features individuals filming women who appear unconscious or sedated. One such platform, Motherless.com, hosts over 20,000 videos of this nature. The report clarified that Motherless.com, a broad pornography site, recorded approximately 62 million visits in February alone, with its primary audience in the United States. This figure represents overall website traffic, not the number of individuals participating in or "attending" the specific illicit online communities or "sleep" content sections.
Within private chat groups, such as one on Telegram named "Zzz," men from around the world were found sharing tips on administering drugs to partners and evading detection. A French lawmaker, Sandrine Josso, who has campaigned against drug-facilitated sexual abuse, referred to these groups as "an online rape academy," stating they teach "every subject" needed to become a "good rapist or sexual predator." The investigation also uncovered instances of users allegedly advertising livestreams of assaults for a fee, often paid in cryptocurrency.
The report highlighted survivor testimonies, including Zoe Watts from England, who discovered her husband had been drugging and raping her for years. Her ex-husband was sentenced to 11 years for his crimes. The investigation underscores the challenges in prosecuting such cases, with low conviction rates for sexual offenses across Europe and the US, and difficulties in identifying drug-facilitated assaults.
While Telegram stated it removes content encouraging sexual violence, and Motherless.com faced an investigation by UK regulator Ofcom regarding age checks, the underlying issue of online platforms enabling such abuse persists. Experts cited in the CNN report note that US safe harbor protections largely shield platform owners from direct liability for user-uploaded content, creating spaces where these illicit activities can flourish.
