Inside The Hidden Network Of Men Drugging And Raping Their Wives

Inside The Hidden Network Of Men Drugging And Raping Their Wives

Author: Mamamia Podcasts June 3, 2026 Duration: 1:05:27

In 2024, the world learned the name Gisele Pelicot. Between 2011 and 2020, she was drugged and raped in her home in France by her husband, Dominique, and dozens of other men while she was unconscious.

In a landmark trial, the then-72-year-old Gisele waived her right to anonymity as evidence revealed at least 200 rapes, many of them filmed. Dominique recruited men through a sex chat website, giving detailed instructions on how to abuse his wife.

But this is not an isolated case. In 2026, CNN uncovered allegations of a global network of men in group chats sharing tips on drugging and raping their wives, alongside more than 20,000 “sleep content” videos.

Investigative journalist Saskya Vandoorne joins us after infiltrating these groups and speaking to survivors.

LINKS

Learn more about CNN's investigation here. 

If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

GET IN TOUCH

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @truecrimeconversations

Want us to cover a case on the podcast? Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note.

Make sure to leave us a rating and review on Apple & Spotify to let us know how you're liking the episodes. 

CREDITS 

Guest: Saskya Vandoorne

Host: Gemma Bath 

Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman

Group Executive Producer: Ilaria Brophy

Video Editor: Julian Rosario

Audio Designer: Tegan Salder

Mamamia acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we have recorded this podcast.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Gemma Bath hosts True Crime Conversations, a podcast from Mamamia Podcasts that delves into infamous criminal cases from Australia and around the world. Rather than just recounting facts, each episode is built around a direct conversation with someone who has a unique, often personal connection to the story. You might hear from a detective who worked the case, a journalist who covered the trial, a family member seeking answers, or a forensic expert who examined the evidence. This approach brings a tangible, human dimension to stories that can sometimes feel distant or sensationalised. The tone is engaging and thoughtful, focusing on the nuances and the people affected, rather than just the shock value. It’s for anyone who appreciates a deeper, more conversational entry into the true crime genre, where the emphasis is on understanding the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ from those who were actually there. Listening to this podcast feels like being part of a serious, yet accessible, discussion about some of the most compelling and complex crimes in recent history.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 50

True Crime Conversations
Podcast Episodes
Inside The Minds Of Australia’s Worst Female Killers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:55
Katherine Knight, Sarah Makin, Caroline Grills, Catherine Birnie, Helen Moore, and Rachel Pfitzner are among the most notorious female killers in Australian history. But what compels a woman to take a life, whether it’s…
The Australian Family Cult That Vanished Overnight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:46
In 2007, a family of three and their friend vanished from their secluded home in Nannup, Western Australia, leaving only a cryptic note claiming they had moved to Brazil. They never arrived. As investigators delved into…
The Family Friend No One Suspected [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:30
Her life changed forever when her five-year-old daughter, Rose, bravely spoke up about a trusted family friend sexually assaulting her. That moment led Michelle to discover that both of her daughters had endured abuse fo…
How Jemma Lilley's Fascination With Serial Killers Turned Deadly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:10
Some women dream of launching a career before 25. Some dream of owning their first home. Jemma Lilley had a different goal: she wanted to kill someone before her 25th birthday, but she knew she couldn't do it alone. Obse…
The Husband Who Played Grieving Widower After Killing His Wife [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:42
In June 2016, Karen Ristevski vanished from her home. Her husband, Borce, told their daughter she had gone for a walk and never returned. For months, police and family searched in vain. Then, in February 2017, hikers stu…
Darryl Used To Be A Violent Man. Now He Stops Them. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:14
Darryl Gardiner grew up in a home ruled by unimaginable violence... and it almost destroyed him. Witnessing and experiencing abuse from a terrifyingly young age, he followed the same path, becoming a violent man himself.…
Trenny Gibson Went On A School Trip And Never Came Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:14
In October 1976, 16-year-old Trenny Gibson boarded a school bus in Knoxville, Tennessee, expecting a routine day. Instead, her horticulture class was taken on a rainy hike into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park wit…
The Brutal Melbourne Killer Who Never Went To Prison [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:43
In May 2019, 25-year-old Courtney Herron was murdered after a night out in Melbourne’s CBD. What happened next would ignite national outrage and raise disturbing questions about justice in Australia. In this episode, Cou…