Rape Academy: Exposing an Online Network That Trains Men to Abuse

This episode investigates the disturbing phenomenon called "Rape Academy": clandestine online communities where men share tips, videos, and tactics for drugging and sexually abusing women, often their partners. We discuss insights gained through investigative reporting, the role of technology platforms and regulation failures, and seek to understand where our prayers and intentions may be best focused in our silent activism against the abuse that too many women are facing and continue to be traumatized by. Please note that this episode describes subject matter that may disturb some listeners. Intentions and prayers start at 22 minutes 25 seconds. Suggested Intention Focus for this week This week, as we reflect on the deeply concerning existence of Rape Academy and the mass abuse that this supports, we suggest holding as our main intention: We will that all women who have been or may be drugged, assaulted or abused for the sexual pleasure or profit of men are held in light and given the voice and support that they need. Please join us in holding this. Selected national sexual‑violence support services: Australia 1800RESPECT – National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service Phone (24/7): 1800 737 732 (within Australia) Online chat: via website Website: https://1800respect.org.au Scope: Confidential counselling, information, and referrals nationwide for people affected by sexual assault or domestic and family violence. Full Stop Australia Phone (national sexual, domestic and family violence counselling line): 1800 385 578 (check website for latest number) Website: https://fullstop.org.au Scope: Specialist sexual violence and abuse support; website also lists state‑based rape crisis and sexual assault services. NASASV – Australian Sexual Assault Services Directory Website: https://www.nasasv.org.au/support-directory Scope: Directory of sexual assault services and rape crisis centres across all states and territories (includes phone and email contacts). Canada Ending Violence Association of Canada – Sexual Assault Centres, Crisis Lines, and Support Services Website: https://endingviolencecanada.org/sexual-assault-centres-crisis-lines-and-support-services Scope: National and provincial directory of sexual assault centres, crisis lines and other support services across Canada, with phone numbers for each province and territory. Sexual Violence Helpline (Canada) Phone / text / chat: access via https://sexualviolencehelpline.ca Scope: Helpline and web‑based service offering information, emotional support and referrals to local services for people affected by sexual violence. ShelterSafe (national shelter locator) Website: https://sheltersafe.ca (linked from Ending Violence Association of Canada) Scope: Map‑based directory of women’s shelters and transition houses for those fleeing violence, including sexual violence. Ireland Dublin Rape Crisis Centre – 24‑Hour National Helpline 24‑hour National Helpline (freephone): 1800 77 8888 Webchat and information: via website Website: https://www.drcc.ie Email: [email protected] Scope: National 24/7 telephone support, webchat, face‑to‑face counselling, accompaniment for medical, legal and court processes for anyone affected by rape or sexual assault at any time in their life. Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) Phone (office): 01 865 6954 Website: https://www.rapecrisishelp.ie (also referred to as Rape Crisis Network Ireland) Email: [email protected] Scope: National network and advocacy body; provides information on rights, options, and a directory of local Rape Crisis Centres and Sexual Assault Treatment Units (SATUs) across Ireland. Crime Victims Helpline (Ireland) Freephone: 116 006 Text: 085 133 7711 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.crimevictimshelpline.ie Scope: National support line for all crime victims, including sexual violence; offers information on the criminal justice system, victims’ rights and referrals to local specialist services. New Zealand Wellington HELP – Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence Crisis line (24/7): 0800 FOR HELP (0800 367 4357) (press 0 at menu) Reception: 04 801 6655 (Mon–Fri, 9:00–16:00) Website: https://www.wellingtonhelp.org.nz[7] Scope: Support line, crisis response, counselling and advocacy for survivors of sexual harm in the Wellington region. Aviva – Sexual Assault Support Service Canterbury (SASSC) Phone (Canterbury, 24/7): 0800 28 48 26 or (03) 378 3847 Email: [email protected] (checked Mon–Fri, 9:00–17:00) Website: https://www.avivafamilies.org.nz (Sexual Assault Support section) Scope: 24/7 crisis telephone support and ongoing services for adult survivors of rape and sexual assault in Canterbury. National information (via NZ Government / Police) Emergency: 111 (New Zealand Police) Non‑emergency police: 105 Support service information line (Auckland‑based): +64 9 360 4001. South Africa TEARS Foundation – National Sexual Assault and Abuse Support 24/7 USSD: *134*7355# Helpline: 08000 TEARS (08000 83277) Office landline: +27 (0)10 590 5920 Email: [email protected] Website: https://tears.co.za Scope: Free, confidential crisis intervention, counselling, advocacy and referrals for survivors of rape, sexual assault, domestic violence and child sexual abuse nationwide. Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust Phone: +27 (0)21 447 9762 WhatsApp line: +27 (0)83 222 5164 Address: 23 Trill Road, Observatory, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa[12] Website: https://rapecrisis.org.za[12] Scope: 24/7 telephone support, counselling and advocacy for rape and sexual assault survivors in the Cape Town area.[12] South African Police / Emergency Police emergency from landline: 10111 From mobile: 112 Scope: Reporting sexual assault and accessing immediate protection and medical assistance via police channels. United Kingdom Rape Crisis England & Wales – 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line Phone (24/7): 0808 500 2222 Online chat: via website Website: https://rapecrisis.org.uk Scope: Free, confidential emotional support, information and referral to local Rape Crisis centres for survivors of rape, sexual assault and abuse in England and Wales. Scottish Women’s Aid / Rape Crisis Scotland (for Scotland) National sexual violence helpline (Rape Crisis Scotland): 08088 01 03 02 (evenings and weekends) Websites: https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk (Rape Crisis Scotland), https://womensaid.scot (Scottish Women’s Aid; domestic and sexual abuse focus) Scope: Helplines, advocacy and local centre referrals for survivors in Scotland (rape, sexual assault, domestic and sexual abuse). Nexus NI / other regional services (Northern Ireland) For Northern Ireland, specialist sexual trauma support is commonly accessed via Nexus NI (counselling and support for sexual trauma) – contact details and helpline hours are listed at https://nexusni.org Scope: Counselling and support services for adults and young people affected by sexual violence and abuse. United States RAINN – National Sexual Assault Hotline Phone (24/7): 800‑656‑HOPE (800‑656‑4673) Online chat: https://rainn.org/hotline (also accessible via “Chat now” on main site) Text: Text “HOPE” to 64673 (as advertised by RAINN) Website: https://rainn.org Scope: 24/7 free, confidential support by phone or online; connects survivors with local rape crisis centres across the U.S. National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) Phone (toll‑free): 877‑739‑3895 Phone: 717‑909‑0710 Email (general): [email protected] Website: https://www.nsvrc.org Mentioned in this episode: “Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice,” by Virginia Roberts Giuffre Amazon com link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCK2JD8W/. Read Ellen’s blog entry for Sacred Feminist, ‘Why is there a market for sexual slavery?’ at http://sacredfeminist.com/why-is-there-a-market-for-sexual-slavery/ Listen to our episode 'Adolescence': A Global Wake-Up Call: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-t9qmm-187ff77 Chapter markers: 00:00:00            Introduction 00:02:05            Unveiling Rape Academy 00:06:08            Understanding the Perpetrators 00:08:58            Consequences for Victims and Society 00:11:01            The Expansion of Rape Culture 00:15:41            Regulation and Accountability 00:22:25            Intentions and Prayers Sources referenced in this episode: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/19/europe/pelicot-rape-trial-france-verdict-intl https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/verdict-due-gisele-pelicot-rape-case-that-horrified-world-2024-12-19/ https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/swedish-man-charged-for-selling-wife-to-120-men-to-perform-sexual-acts-11288979 https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/sites/icpsr/posts/shared/three-decades-of-ncvs-data-show-a-recent-drop-in-reporting-sexual-violence-against-women https://www.nsvrc.org/blog_post/cdc-releases-new-sexual-violence-data/ https://www.preventconnect.org/2022/06/new-national-intimate-partner-and-sexual-violence-survey-nisvs-report-released/ https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2026/03/world/expose-rape-assault-online-vis-intl/index.html             https://cheekmedia.substack.com/p/the-online-rape-academy-exposes-a                             https://rapecrisis.org.uk/news/our-statement-on-the-online-rape-academy/                            https://www.reddit.com/r/TwoXChromosomes/comments/1s4gp70/exposing_a_global_online_rape_academy_that_is/  https://uk.news.yahoo.com/fact-check-facts-behind-claim-110000000.html   https://www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/2026/04/21/uk-media-ignore-online-rape-academy-story/ https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09589236.2023.2216650 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1089/acu.2024.0122 https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/aae5281bac72983282c0704a3b7b5f394b7f4098 https://pa-journal.igsu.ru/en/articles-en/11245/ https://journal.ypmma.org/index.php/dj/article/view/197 https://www.facebook.com/cnninternational/videos/following-cnns-investigation-exposing-global-online-rape-academies-uk-lawmakers-/3904288053208891/ Join us in person for intention holding:  https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/events-1 Labyrinth Activist Network Zoom calls   https://insighttimer.com/cliverj Daily intention holding with Clive on Insight Timer.   Our websites:  www.heartfulimpact.com/   Our show website.   https://globalhealingresponse.com/ Global Healing Response ~ Offers a wealth of prayers, suggested practices and prompts in response to environmental catastrophe, conflict, and other world events.   https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/ Legacy Labyrinth Project ~ Creating global energetic connections through the labyrinth; inspiring active intention sending using the labyrinth via labyrinth activism.   https://www.clivejohnsonministry.com/ Clive Johnson Ministry ~ Events and offerings aimed at building beloved community, including weekly energy holding vigils and Power of Eight group.   https://insighttimer.com/cliverj ~ Daily intention holding.   Impact! Is presented by Ellen Bintz and Clive Johnson. It is produced by Impact Productions.   Our show content is hosted by Podbean and available from all major podcast platforms.   Our theme music is by Chris Collins. indiemusicbox.com.   Our logo artwork is by AltoClassic (Getty Images/istock).   Contact us via Facebook Messenger from the Impact! Facebook group, or using any of the contact methods mentioned on our websites.   Impact! www.heartfulimpact.com.