Stop the “Rape Academy” Online

A man sits alone in a dimly lit room, scrolling through encrypted messaging apps on his laptop. The screen glows with private chat groups where abuse is coordinated. Photo illustration.

How to Remove Sexual Abuse from the Internet and Protect Women. This includes Alaska’s Vulnerable Communities.

By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | June 9, 2026

A months-long CNN investigation uncovered a hidden, international network of men sharing tips on how to drug and rape their partners. Dubbed the “online rape academy,” this network operates across private Telegram groups with one group having nearly 1,000 members. The network also uses fringe platforms like Motherless.com, which logged 62 million visits in one month.

Men exchange tactics on mixing medications into drinks. They livestream abuse for cryptocurrency. They swap advice on evading detection. The Polish man arrested in April 2026 admitted drugging his wife with his son’s sleep medication. He is just one case in a global network.

U.S. law enforcement has not proactively shut down these sites. Motherless remains operational. It is protected by Section 230 immunity. Telegram resists takedown requests due to encryption and anonymity.

You do not have to wait for authorities. This guide shows how to remove abuse from the internet and protect yourself.


Alaska Is at Risk. Two Men Used Telegram for Abuse

As of June 9, 2026, CNN’s investigation did not name Alaska cases. However, two Alaska men used the same Telegram network powering the rape academy:

PersonWhat HappenedDate
Athaney O’Connor, 32 (Anchorage)Sentenced to 70 months in prison for trafficking child pornography received via Telegram from an Airman at Joint Base Elmendorf-RichardsonJune 2, 2026 
Unnamed Alaska individualIdentified receiving and distributing child sexual abuse material using Telegram. This person was chatting with a Mexican national arrested in OklahomaAugust 2025 

These men used the same platform as the rape academy. While their crimes involved child pornography rather than drugging partners, the infrastructure is identical. Private encrypted groups are resistant to takedowns.

Why Alaska Native Women Are Especially Vulnerable

Alaska Native women face the highest rates of sexual assault in the United States. They also have the worst access to services when they need help. The online rape academy specifically targets partners at home, which makes this crisis even more urgent. Sixty-five percent of sexual assaults against Native women occur at or near their private residences. This matches the rape academy pattern exactly.

StatisticImpact
84.3% of Alaska Native women experience violence in their lifetimeMore than 4 in 5 Native women are victims 
Highest rate of forcible sexual assault in the U.S.Domestic violence up to 10 times higher than the rest of the U.S. 
97% assaulted by a non-Native perpetratorTribal sovereignty issues complicate prosecution 
65% of assaults occur at or near private residencesMatches the rape academy pattern of drugging partners at home 
38% needed services but did not get themMore than twice as likely as white women to lack access 

The online rape academy targets partners at home. This is exactly where most assaults against Native women occur.


Protect Yourself: What to Do Right Now

These networks target partners at home, not strangers. If you think your partner is drugging or assaulting you, take these steps:

  • Watch for tampered drinks and food. Do not leave drinks unattended. Decline drinks you did not see prepared. Watch for pills or powders
  • Be cautious about medications. If anyone puts your or your child’s sleep medication into your tea, coffee, or food, question it immediately
  • Trust sudden unnatural intoxication. If you get drunk after one drink or lose memory of parts of the night, get medical care and a forensic exam
  • Set up a trusted check-in. If you are alone with a partner and feel strange, have a friend check in by phone or video

Digital Self-Defense

Protecting your online accounts and social media presence is a critical part of preventing abuse. Secure your digital life with these steps:

  • Set accounts to private and limit who can see posts or message you
  • Save screenshots and URLs before blocking. Evidence helps platforms and police act
  • Use a password manager and enable two-factor authentication with an app. Do not use SMS
  • Block quickly and screenshot before blocking if you need evidence

If Someone Threatens to Post Intimate Images

This is a serious form of abuse called image-based sexual abuse. You have legal options to stop it and protect yourself. Follow these steps:

  • Do not pay or negotiate. Cut contact, save evidence, report as extortion
  • Report to the platform first. Platforms must remove images within 48 hours under the Take It Down Act
  • If the platform fails, report to the FTC at TakeItDown.ftc.gov

Remove Abuse from the Internet

Taking action to remove harmful content requires a clear process. Start by documenting everything and then report it to the right places. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Preserve Evidence

Before reporting anything:

  • Screenshot everything. This includes usernames, group links, posts, videos, and timestamps
  • Save URLs and file names
  • Document chat histories if you are in a group
  • Export evidence to secure cloud storage your partner cannot access

Step 2: Report to the Platform

PlatformHow to Report
TelegramUse Telegram’s report function. Email privacy@telegram.org with evidence and URLs 
Motherless.comUse the Report button on each video. Email abuse@motherless.com 
Facebook, X, InstagramUse built-in report tools for harassment, sexual violence, or non-consensual content 

Ask trusted friends to report the content too. Multiple reports raise priority with platforms.

Step 3: Report to Law Enforcement

SituationWho to Contact
Drugging, assault, or threatsLocal police plus FBI at tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALL-FBI 
Non-consensual intimate imagesReport to platform first. If not removed, report to FTC at TakeItDown.ftc.gov 
Child sexual exploitationNCMEC CyberTipline at 833-591-KNOW (5669) 

Step 4: Use Survivor Support Hotlines

  • RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (24/7)
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE

Alaska Resources

How to Report Abuse in Alaska

SituationContact
Child in dangerCall 9-1-1 
Non-emergency (Anchorage)Anchorage Police: 3-1-1 or (907) 786-8900 
Anonymous text tipText AKTIP plus message to 847411 
Online crime reportdps.alaska.gov/crimereport 
Report child abusereportchildabuse@alaska.gov or 1-800-478-4444 

Alaska Survivor Support

OrganizationContact
StrongHearts Native Helpline1-844-762-8483 (7 a.m.–10 p.m. CT) for Native Americans 
Alaska Network Legal HotlineContact ANTHC for number. This is free legal help for survivors 
RAINN Hotline1-800-656-HOPE (24/7 nationwide) 

For Alaskans. What to Do

Alaska Native women face the highest rates of sexual assault in the U.S., and the rape academy specifically targets partners at home. If you are in Alaska, take these protective steps:

  • Contact Alaska Network for free legal help
  • Watch for tampered drinks at home. Do not leave drinks unattended
  • Be cautious about medications in your food or drinks
  • Trust sudden unnatural intoxication. Get medical care immediately
  • Call StrongHearts if you are Native. The number is 1-844-762-8483

    Advocate for Platform Change

    Current laws and policies allow platforms like Motherless and Telegram to protect abusive content. To shut down the rape academy network, we need sweeping reforms. The following changes are essential:

    What Needs to Change

    ReformWhy It Matters
    Mandate AI detectionPlatforms must proactively remove non-consensual content. They must not rely on reactive reporting 
    Allow survivors to sueCreate legal pathways for survivors to hold platforms accountable 
    Exempt federal law from Section 230FTC, DOJ, FCC can pursue civil actions without Section 230 blocking them 
    Require algorithm auditsThird-party audits expose harmful content flows 
    Train law enforcement on TFGBVTechnology-facilitated gender-based violence expertise for investigators 

    Who to Contact

    WhoHow to ContactWhat to Ask
    Your U.S. Senatorscongress.gov. Then click Contact pagesSupport Internet PACT Act (Section 230 reform) 
    FTCftc.gov/contactInvestigate Motherless for deceptive moderation claims 
    DOJjustice.gov/contact-usLaunch investigations into platform facilitation of crime 
    State Attorney Generalnaag.org. Then find your stateLaunch state investigations or support federal reform 
    Alaska State RepresentativeAlaska legislature pageSupport Section 230 reform in Alaska 

    Join Advocacy Efforts

    • Change.org petition: Demand action against the Rape Academy website
    • Social media: Tag Telegram, Motherless, FTC, DOJ with demands
    • Organizations: Contact RAINN at rainn.org, Joyful Heart at joyfulheartfoundation.org, or CCDH at ccdh.org

    Your Action Plan

    You do not need to wait for authorities to act. Individual actions can remove abuse from the internet and protect vulnerable communities. Follow this timeline to make an impact:

    Today

    • Sign the Change.org petition
    • Email your senators supporting Internet PACT Act
    • Report any abuse you find with screenshots and evidence

    This Week

    • Contact FTC. Demand investigation into Motherless
    • Contact DOJ. Push for platform crime investigations
    • Reach out to RAINN, Joyful Heart, or CCDH to join advocacy
    • For Alaskans: Contact Alaska DPS to demand TFGBV training for law enforcement

    This Month

    • Organize letter-writing to your U.S. Senators
    • Write an op-ed or contact local journalists
    • Educate your community about drug-facilitated assault risks
    • For Alaskans: Contact your State Representative on Section 230 reform

    Ongoing

    • Keep media coverage active through campaigns and op-eds
    • Support survivor organizations through donations or volunteering
    • Monitor your digital safety and teach others
    • For Alaskans: Encourage your community to use AKtips app

    Contact Summary

    NeedWho to ContactHow
    Emergency safetyLocal police plus 911Call immediately if unsafe
    Sexual assault supportRAINN1-800-656-HOPE (24/7) 
    Domestic violenceNational Hotline1-800-799-SAFE 
    Native violence (Alaska)StrongHearts1-844-762-8483 
    Alaska legal helpAlaska NetworkContact ANTHC for number 
    Report to FTCTakeItDown.ftc.govFor images not removed 
    Report to FBItips.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALL-FBIFor drugging, assault, threats 
    Child exploitationNCMEC CyberTipline833-591-KNOW (5669) 
    Alaska emergency9-1-1Call immediately
    Alaska non-emergencyAnchorage Police3-1-1 or (907) 786-8900 
    Alaska anonymous tipAlaska DPSText AKTIP to 847411 
    Section 230 reformYour U.S. Senatorscongress.gov 

    The rape academy is real, it is global, and it is already here in Alaska. You have the power to remove abuse, protect survivors, and demand accountability. Starting today.


    Sources

    1. CNN Interactive: “Exposing a global ‘online rape academy'”
    2. CNN Instagram: Investigation reveals hidden network of men drugging and raping women
    3. Instagram Post: 62 million visits to online rape academy network
    4. YouTube Video: “Online rape academy” visited by tens of millions of men
    5. GNET Research: “Online Spousal Rape Networks: Advancing Violent Misogyny in Real-Time”
    6. The Meteor: “The Women Who Exposed the ‘Rape Academy'”
    7. Polish Arrest: Man arrested following CNN undercover investigation
    8. RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
    9. FTC: “Image-Based Abuse: What To Know and Do”
    10. Joyful Heart Foundation: Image-based Abuse Initiative
    11. Congress.gov: Internet PACT Act (Schatz/Thune)
    12. FBI Tips: tips.fbi.gov
    13. NCMEC CyberTipline: 833-591-KNOW (5669)
    14. Alaska Department of Public Safety: Crime reporting and AKtips
    15. Alaska Bar Association: Pro Bono Legal Service Providers
    16. StrongHearts Native Helpline: 1-844-762-8483

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