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Dutch police investigate suspected drugging and sexual assault of multiple women
TL;DR
Dutch police are investigating suspected drugging and sexual assaults involving multiple women, leading to the arrest of four men. The investigation follows reports from agencies in England and Germany about drugging incidents linked to private social media groups.
Key points
- Dutch police launched a major investigation into drugging and sexual assaults.
- Four men have been arrested in connection with the case.
- Multiple women may have been drugged by someone in their immediate circle.
- The investigation follows tip-offs from agencies in England and Germany.
- Suspects frequented private social media groups sharing drugging tips.
Warning: This story contains details some may find distressing
A major investigation has been launched by police in the Netherlands into the suspected drugging and sexual assaults of a number of women, prompting the arrests of four men.
Dutch police said they had received information suggesting multiple women may have been drugged "by someone in their immediate circle" and sexually assaulted on camera, following tip-offs from agencies in England and Germany.
The suspects allegedly frequented private social media groups in which tips were shared on how best to drug victims and images of the abuse were circulated.
The number of victims is not yet clear and more arrests could follow, the national police force said.
Dutch media likened the alleged events to the case of Gisèle Pelicot, whose husband repeatedly drugged her and invited dozens of men to rape her in France.
Police in the Netherlands said on Thursday the arrests were made after they raided the homes of eight suspects - men aged between 21 and 51 identified through the online groups - in late May.
Detectives are now studying computers, USB sticks, SD cards and phones seized during the raids.
Drugs and weapons were also found at some of the locations.
The charges against the suspects vary. They include alleged participation in the online groups, creation or distribution of sexual imagery, and "endangering victims by drugging them, up to and including (attempted) rape".
Milou van der Kolk of the Rotterdam sexual crimes team said it was not yet clear how many victims may have been targeted.
"This is a case with an enormous impact," she said.
"As a victim, you may not know what happened to you, because you may have been drugged and were unconscious.
"The news that your partner or an acquaintance may have drugged you and perhaps even raped you or attempted to do so can turn your life completely upside down."
Details of help and support with sexual abuse or violence are available at BBC Action Line.
Q&A
What prompted the Dutch police investigation into drugging and sexual assault?
The investigation was prompted by information suggesting multiple women were drugged and sexually assaulted, with reports coming from agencies in England and Germany.
How many suspects have been arrested in the Dutch police investigation?
Four men have been arrested in connection with the suspected drugging and sexual assaults.
What methods were allegedly used to drug the victims in the Netherlands?
The suspects allegedly used tips shared in private social media groups on how to drug victims, along with circulating images of the abuse.
