Network of tens of thousands
Revelation: Women offered to rape on Telegram
December 18, 2024 – 1:39 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
Some wrote instructions for rape, others offered to abuse their mothers or sisters: Thousands of people apparently found space for perfidious exchanges in Telegram groups.
The German research team at STRG_F spent over a year investigating dozens of chat groups on the messenger service Telegram and uncovered sexual abuse. In the groups, some of which have up to tens of thousands of members, users exchanged instructions on how to secretly anesthetize people for sexual assault and even rape, reports the “Tagesschau”. The users encouraged each other and offered to rape women. In some cases, rapes were announced and footage was shared.
The victims often seem to come from the perpetrators' immediate environment: we are talking about their own sister, mother, girlfriend or wife. While some claimed that their partner agreed to the attacks, many proudly reported that they had no idea.
One user described his supposed partner as “drunk and on a few sleeping pills”. He adds: “I should hopefully have some fun soon.” Other participants are enthusiastic and demand photos of the victim.
In another case, a German user offered to rape his wife and said that he had already ordered narcotics online. The group exchanged tips and instructions for use for various knockout remedies. Links to online shops were shared.
The STRG_F team was able to order a knockout remedy disguised as a hair care product online. Toxicologist Volker Auwachter from Freiburg University Hospital found several dangerous substances in this supposed hair serum: medetomidine (a veterinary anesthetic), flualprazolam (a designer benzodiazepine) and scopolamine (an anti-vomiting drug). Auwachter was shocked by this composition, which was previously unknown and could not be proven in standard tests: “This is a new level,” said Auwachter. He was also concerned about the product being disguised as a hair serum.
Sexual assaults on unconscious people are punishable under Section 177 Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code – although possession of recordings of such acts by adults is not. When asked, the Ministry of Justice stated: “According to the usual assessment of the Federal Ministry of Justice, in terms of criminal policy, it is not necessary to change this.” The ministry also reports that police authorities actively pursue tips about possible criminal groups – if they become aware of them.
The Federal Criminal Police Office had also asked STRG_F about the problem of these Telegram groups over a year ago. However, for investigative reasons, they did not want to provide any precise information: “In addition, if criminal acts have been committed, there is the possibility, for example, of reporting relevant groups to the service provider or messenger service and suggesting that they be deleted.”
When asked, Telegram itself stated that it would follow up on relevant information from users and investigative authorities: “Telegram pursues a zero-tolerance policy towards misuse of its platform. Any users caught doing this will be banned immediately.”
While some groups were deleted during the research and inactive members were removed, new invitation links continued to show the growth of this network.
Anja Schmidt from the German Association of Women Lawyers told STRG_F that the situation was appalling. It is “an indication that the regulations have not currently been achieved.” She further emphasizes: Even if one or two criminal offenses apply, the full extent of this problem and its quality are not clear. Schmidt calls for urgent action against such networks.
