Catrin Nye

Fifty women told the BBC that partners pressured or coerced them into sex with strangers through swinging encounters, with many describing lasting trauma. Six women said they were raped, 16 reported intimate images being shared without consent, and others described police failures to recognize coercive control or investigate their complaints. Most encounters were arranged through FabSwingers, which said it prioritizes reports of coercion and sexual assault, cooperates with police and is not responsible for private conduct between adults. Critics, including Labour MP Jess Phillips, argue that the platform enables abuse, lacks adequate identity verification and moderator training, and may breach the UK Online Safety Act. Ofcom said it was extremely concerned and was contacting the site, while no investigation had yet been opened.

Fifty women told BBC News they were pressured or coerced by partners into having sex with strangers through swinging arrangements, with many describing lasting trauma. Most encounters were arranged through FabSwingers; six women said they were raped by men met via the site, and 16 said intimate images were uploaded without consent. Survivors and former moderators accused the website of inadequate moderation and poor cooperation with police, while FabSwingers denied indifference and said it prioritises reports and uses administrators, AI and automated controls. Jess Phillips called for the site to be shut down, and Ofcom said it was seriously concerned and was speaking with the provider. Women also criticised police handling of complaints, prompting calls for better training on coercive control as a form of domestic abuse.

Fifty women told BBC News they were pressured or coerced by partners into having sex with strangers through swinging arrangements, with many describing lasting trauma, rape and the unauthorized sharing of intimate images. Most encounters were arranged through FabSwingers, which users accused of failing to address abuse and cooperate adequately with police; the site rejected claims that it was indifferent to misuse and outlined its moderation systems. Police handling was also criticized, while domestic-abuse experts called for better recognition of coercive control. Labour MP Jess Phillips said FabSwingers should be shut down, and Ofcom expressed concern while engaging with the provider, though it had not opened an investigation.