Divya Talwar

Fifty women told the BBC that partners pressured or coerced them into having sex with strangers through swinging encounters, with many describing lasting trauma. Six said they were raped, 16 said intimate images were shared without consent, and several reported inadequate police responses. Most encounters were arranged through FabSwingers, which users accused of enabling abuse and failing to cooperate with authorities; the company denied the allegations and said it prioritizes reports of coercion, sexual assault and image-based abuse. Labour MP Jess Phillips called for the site to be closed, while Ofcom expressed concern but had not begun an investigation. The BBC also found that the platform had been mentioned in at least 329 UK police records since 2023 and that former moderators said they received little or no training.

Fifty women told BBC News that partners pressured or coerced them into having sex with strangers through swinging arrangements, often via FabSwingers, with many describing lasting trauma. Six women said they were raped by men met through the site, 16 reported intimate images being uploaded without consent, and some alleged that police or the platform failed to respond appropriately. FabSwingers says it prioritises reports of coercion and assault, works with police and uses administrators, AI and automated controls. Former moderators disputed the adequacy of its training, while Jess Phillips called for the site to be shut down and Ofcom said it was concerned and speaking with the provider.