A new investigation by CNN has exposed what it describes as a deeply troubling online ecosystem where non-consensual “sleep content” is widely shared and consumed, raising urgent concerns among lawmakers, advocacy groups, and global organisations.

Reporting on the issue, journalist Saskya Vandoorne revealed that one such website, Motherless.com, attracts tens of millions of visitors monthly and hosts numerous videos depicting individuals, primarily women, who appear to be unconscious or asleep. Many of these videos have garnered hundreds of thousands of views, sparking outrage over what critics describe as a normalisation of sexual violence online.

According to the investigation, some users within these communities openly claim that the content is non-consensual. A commonly used tag, “#eyecheck,” reportedly refers to videos in which viewers attempt to determine whether a person is conscious, further highlighting the disturbing nature of the material.

The report also uncovered a private group on Telegram with nearly 1,000 members dedicated to sharing such content and exchanging advice. Participants from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Brazil were found to be communicating primarily in English. Within these groups, users allegedly shared detailed guidance on how to sedate partners, including discussions of specific drugs, dosages, and methods, some involving commonly available medications.

In one instance, Vandoorne connected with an individual who claimed to be selling a liquid sedative through Telegram, advertising it as tasteless and undetectable, and claiming it could be shipped globally for around $175 per bottle. The individual reportedly described the operation as a business, raising further alarm about the scale and organisation of such activities.

The Telegram group later disappeared, but the findings have intensified scrutiny from policymakers. In the UK, lawmakers have begun questioning what steps the government is taking to address these online networks, with particular focus on the role of tech companies in hosting or enabling access to such content.

Pressure is also mounting on major search engines and platforms to take stronger action, including calls to deplatform websites linked to exploitative material. A growing petition campaign is urging tech companies to assume greater accountability.

Advocacy organisations, including UN Women, have echoed these concerns, warning that the investigation aligns with broader research showing how online platforms can be used to facilitate and normalise violence against women. NGOs say the findings underscore the urgent need for stronger regulation, enforcement, and international cooperation to combat digital spaces that enable abuse.