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First modification: 04/22/2026 - 19:25

In this episode of Ellas Hoy we address three key stories about violence and resistance. We interviewed one of the 'CNN' researchers who uncovered an international network in which nearly a thousand men shared content and practices of sexual abuse against women, in many cases within the sphere of the couple. We also analyzed the UN Women report that denounces the death of thousands of women and girls in the Gaza war. In addition, we traveled to Rio de Janeiro, where a world jiu-jitsu champion promotes a school to help women defend themselves against sexist violence.

The horrors that came to light in 2024 with the Gisèle Pelicot case only showed part of the problem. The trial that exposed systematic abuse under chemical submission for a decade—and implicated more than 50 men—revealed a pattern of violence that goes beyond an isolated case.

A 'CNN' investigation has revealed the extent to which these practices can be organized and spread in digital environments. Journalists infiltrated the misnamed “global academy for rapists”, a group with nearly a thousand participants where methods, content and dynamics of abuse within the couple were shared.

Reporter Saskya Vandoorne, together with her team, documented how these spaces function as exchange networks that normalize and monetize violence.

CNN uncovered an online rape network

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In an interview with Ellas Hoy, 'CNN' journalist Kara Fox, one of the investigators of the case, warned that the phenomenon goes beyond the group infiltrated in Telegram:

“We know that there are other similar spaces, with many more participants.”

Fox also warned of an increase in testimonies after the publication of the report: "We have received numerous stories from survivors who report abuse and from people concerned about the use of substances to facilitate these crimes."

It is a global network that is hidden under dynamics that appear harmless, but in reality reproduce and amplify violence against women. In these environments, so-called “dream contents” circulate, a practice that involves attacks committed, in many cases, within the sphere of the couple.

The “#eyecheck” or eye examination

The phenomenon documented by 'CNN' could have a much greater scope than is known.

“It is impossible to know how many survivors there are,” warned journalist Kara Fox.

One of the spaces analyzed, the website Motherless.com, linked to one of those involved in the investigation, hosts tens of thousands of videos associated with practices that point to the use of substances to override the will of the victims. In March alone, these contents added millions of views, mainly from the United States, and were disseminated under tags such as #eyecheck or #eyecheck.

The researchers warn that this type of material circulates on a global scale, hosted on servers also distributed in Europe, and that it is constantly uploaded by users from different countries.

According to Fox, many of these videos present clear signs of non-consent and are part of dynamics in which aggressors exchange methods and recommendations to commit these crimes and avoid detection.

In this context, the so-called “sleep community” uses practices such as “eyecheck”—lifting the victims' eyelids to show their state of unconsciousness—as a form of validation within these environments, where retransmissions are even offered in exchange for money or cryptocurrencies.

Israel killed 47 women and girls every day in Gaza war

UN Women published a report on the impact of Israel's war in Gaza, with a special focus on women and girls.

According to the organization, at least 38,000 women and girls were murdered between October 2023 and December 2025, which is equivalent to an average of 47 per day.

Various international organizations have denounced the seriousness of the humanitarian situation and the high number of civilian victims, in a conflict marked by intense Israeli military operations in the Palestinian enclave.

UN Women denounces the mass death of women and girls in the Gaza war

The deaths have continued even after the fragile ceasefire, in a regional context marked by escalation between the United States, Israel and Iran.

According to local medical personnel, more than 750 Palestinians have died since then, while attacks by armed groups have left four Israeli soldiers dead.

However, there is no updated gender breakdown of victims in this later period, making it difficult to determine how many women and girls are among the dead.

Sofia Calltorp, head of humanitarian action at UN Women, warned that “women and girls represent a significantly higher proportion of victims than in previous conflicts in Gaza.”

Additionally, nearly one million women and girls remain displaced within the Gaza Strip. According to Calltorp, “serious damage to infrastructure has made access to basic needs, including health care, virtually impossible.”

Data from the World Health Organization indicate that more than 500,000 women lack essential services, such as prenatal and postnatal care or treatment for sexually transmitted infections.

For its part, UNICEF warns that girls and boys continue to die and be injured at an alarming rate in Gaza. In the last six months, at least 214 minors have died, according to official figures.

Women defend themselves in Brazil: 'Empowered' against sexist violence

In Brazil being a woman is dangerous. Last year, the country recorded 1,568 femicides, which represents an increase of 4.7% compared to 2024 and the worst figure of the decade. And when the rape records are reviewed, the picture is just as bleak: according to the Brazilian Ministry of Justice, in 2025 there were 83,000 cases, which is equivalent to an assault every six minutes.

Faced with this deep-rooted violence and without decisive actions by the state, martial arts have been the lifeline of 2.5 million women in Rio de Janeiro who decided to join the 'Empoderadas' program, led by the world jiu-jitsu champion, Erica Paes, who suffered two attempted rapes.

“Every time a woman manages to put into practice what she learned here and can tell it, for us this is our main victory: that a woman manages to survive an attack and mainly not only survive, but also manage to anticipate by practicing preventive security tools, managing to prevent the worst from happening.”

Today, Erica dedicates her life to preventing violence against women and personally trains teachers. Its program also offers psychological and legal support and professional training so that abused citizens do not have to depend financially on their attackers.

Their work has become a movement that changes lives like that of Mayara, a defenseless victim of rape by her father when she was a child and who even suffered a pregnancy as a result of the attacks.

Thanks to Tatami, who today is a mother of four children, not only learned self-defense techniques, she also recovered her self-esteem and found legal support to file a complaint. In the process she learned the trade of a makeup artist, which she combines with her work as a lecturer and coordinator of courses for more women like her.

"I was a little afraid that my abuser would come for me on the street, and that I wouldn't be able to defend myself. For me it was very important. Within a week, I managed to go out to buy bread without having to watch the corners for fear of being attacked at any moment." Mayara told France 24.

The 'Empoderadas' project currently has more than 70 centers in the State of Rio de Janeiro.

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