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BBC article and research on Fab Swingers

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By *resesse_Meliorem OP   Couple
4 weeks ago

Border of London

It seems as if the BBC (16 June 2026) has an article that directly associates Fab with coercive domestic abuse. They even submitted a freedom of information request to determine that "police forces across the UK have told us the site has been mentioned in hundreds of recent crime reports".

Perhaps they're upset with the coverage of their organisation in the Fab Politics Forum and this is their revenge!

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By *izandpaulCouple
4 weeks ago

merseyside


"It seems as if the BBC (16 June 2026) has an article that directly associates Fab with coercive domestic abuse. They even submitted a freedom of information request to determine that "police forces across the UK have told us the site has been mentioned in hundreds of recent crime reports".

Perhaps they're upset with the coverage of their organisation in the Fab Politics Forum and this is their revenge!"

Hahaha

I'm sure BBC executives are full of fear and trepidation from what they read on a swingers site by total randoms.

😂😂😂

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By *ostindreamsMan
4 weeks ago

London

Probably a frustrated journalist who did not get a single meet on here

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By *resesse_Meliorem OP   Couple
4 weeks ago

Border of London


"

Hahaha

I'm sure BBC executives are full of fear and trepidation from what they read on a swingers site by total randoms.

😂😂😂

"

This forum sets the agenda for the country!

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By *izandpaulCouple
4 weeks ago

merseyside


"

Hahaha

I'm sure BBC executives are full of fear and trepidation from what they read on a swingers site by total randoms.

😂😂😂

This forum sets the agenda for the country!"

Probably explains the state the country is in.

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By *resesse_Meliorem OP   Couple
4 weeks ago

Border of London


"Probably a frustrated journalist who did not get a single meet on here"

The case itself is actually quite serious. On the one hand, she appeared to be giving enthusiastic consent. On the other, she was allegedly coerced into it. Unlike the much more cut and dried case in France, where the men knew that the woman was unable to consent (being unconscious), this one is actually more disturbing in some ways because men probably didn't realise what was happening. Assuming that her story is true.

Has anyone here ever suspected that a meet wasn't fully consensual?

But yeah, when the BBC did their research, if it were a man, he was probably frustrated. If a woman... Yikes!

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By *ostindreamsMan
4 weeks ago

London


"Probably a frustrated journalist who did not get a single meet on here

The case itself is actually quite serious. On the one hand, she appeared to be giving enthusiastic consent. On the other, she was allegedly coerced into it. Unlike the much more cut and dried case in France, where the men knew that the woman was unable to consent (being unconscious), this one is actually more disturbing in some ways because men probably didn't realise what was happening. Assuming that her story is true.

Has anyone here ever suspected that a meet wasn't fully consensual?

But yeah, when the BBC did their research, if it were a man, he was probably frustrated. If a woman... Yikes!"

Yeah there were quite a few threads about the case in the Lounge section. It's very much in the legal grey area. You can blame the husband for sure. But it looks like the guys couldn't have figured out she was coerced.

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By *ctionSandwichCouple
4 weeks ago

Newcastle under Lyme

One woman claims to have met hundreds of men in 18 months? Some arranged solely by her? If so we'd like tips on avoiding th3 fakes and time wasters!

No. There comes a point where women must accept responsibility for their own actions. She wasn't a toddler, well over 25 so not immature.

Also the BBC reporter stating 'consent is assumed at the message stage'? Erm, no. Likewise, just what kind of single male profiles did the BBC message?

A very clear case of a major news broadcaster totally misrepresenting what goes on.

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By *resesse_Meliorem OP   Couple
4 weeks ago

Border of London


"

No. There comes a point where women must accept responsibility for their own actions. She wasn't a toddler, well over 25 so not immature.

"

You might be right.

But you are very clearly fortunate enough not to have ever been in a truly abusive and controlling relationship.

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By *rogressivepairCouple
3 weeks ago

Derbyshire


"It seems as if the BBC (16 June 2026) has an article that directly associates Fab with coercive domestic abuse. They even submitted a freedom of information request to determine that "police forces across the UK have told us the site has been mentioned in hundreds of recent crime reports".

Perhaps they're upset with the coverage of their organisation in the Fab Politics Forum and this is their revenge!"

Did you listen to it? You should, after all, it’s information. I found it interesting, shocking but not sensationalised. And it has clarified the importance of genuine consent and both of us checking all elements of consent (verbal and

Non verbal) before any play. Have a listen people.

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By *rDiscretionXXXMan
3 weeks ago

Gilfach


"Did you listen to it? You should, after all, it’s information. I found it interesting, shocking but not sensationalised. And it has clarified the importance of genuine consent and both of us checking all elements of consent (verbal and Non verbal) before any play. Have a listen people."

I read the original print article and the impression that I got was that the woman involved did give consent at the time, but now feels that the men should somehow have known that she didn't really mean it. To me she comes across as someone that made some bad decisions, and is now seeking to blame others for the consequences.

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By *otMe66Man
3 weeks ago

.


"Did you listen to it? You should, after all, it’s information. I found it interesting, shocking but not sensationalised. And it has clarified the importance of genuine consent and both of us checking all elements of consent (verbal and Non verbal) before any play. Have a listen people.

I read the original print article and the impression that I got was that the woman involved did give consent at the time, but now feels that the men should somehow have known that she didn't really mean it. To me she comes across as someone that made some bad decisions, and is now seeking to blame others for the consequences."

I disagree, I think it shone a light on the power of manipulation. I'm still considering my participation on the site after this.

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By *orthfieldsNickMan
3 weeks ago

West London

I’ve got to admit, I thought very similarly about the woman when I first read the article, but listening to the podcast changed my perspective somewhat. It’s a very complex case, much more than can be summarised in a headline or short article. The podcast isn’t perfect and I don’t agree with it’s criticism of fab, but I’d definitely recommend listening to it

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By *otMe66Man
3 weeks ago

.


"I’ve got to admit, I thought very similarly about the woman when I first read the article, but listening to the podcast changed my perspective somewhat. It’s a very complex case, much more than can be summarised in a headline or short article. The podcast isn’t perfect and I don’t agree with it’s criticism of fab, but I’d definitely recommend listening to it "

the criticism of the site was that it didn't do X Y Z to protect or add guardrails. It can seem a stretch asking why a site doesn't manage the users when the interactions are off site and of a nefarious nature by controlling partners.

I'm not saying for one moment the site is responsible for the actions of the users, but it does have a responsibility to provide routes for users who are using its services to be able to seek help or raise concerns privately.

The site offers a report function - support but is managed by moderators who are not employees, that is where I considered the the main pushback was coming from.

What I found disturbing was the examples of male attitudes, not the site.

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By *hromakeyDreamcoatMan
3 weeks ago

Carlisle


"

What I found disturbing was the examples of male attitudes, not the site."

After reading some of the stuff on these forums, I’m not surprised at the male attitudes in the slightest.

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By *rogressivepairCouple
3 weeks ago

Derbyshire


"Did you listen to it? You should, after all, it’s information. I found it interesting, shocking but not sensationalised. And it has clarified the importance of genuine consent and both of us checking all elements of consent (verbal and Non verbal) before any play. Have a listen people.

I read the original print article and the impression that I got was that the woman involved did give consent at the time, but now feels that the men should somehow have known that she didn't really mean it. To me she comes across as someone that made some bad decisions, and is now seeking to blame others for the consequences."

Typical male view, and why so many ra pe trials fail…….. you didn’t read the article fully, did you?

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By *rDiscretionXXXMan
3 weeks ago

Gilfach


"I read the original print article and the impression that I got was that the woman involved did give consent at the time, but now feels that the men should somehow have known that she didn't really mean it. To me she comes across as someone that made some bad decisions, and is now seeking to blame others for the consequences."


"Typical male view, and why so many ra pe trials fail…….. you didn’t read the article fully, did you?"

I did. Here it is for those that haven't read it: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c87q7g48y4po

She says that she met men alone in her car and filmed the encounters. "She did arrange some of the meetings herself, she says, and would appear enthusiastic about swinging".

I don't doubt that she's had a lot of abuse from her husband, and that she was pushed into doing this. I have a lot of sympathy with her for what she's been through.

But I have less sympathy for her when she blames this site for facilitating that abuse, or blames the men that she met for taking part.

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By *iman2100Man
3 weeks ago

Glasgow

There is no excuse for a husband abusing his wife in the way described in the article. So it seems clear that this was a controling abusive relationship where the abuser gained gratification by making his wife perform sex with others.

Having said that I see the position of Fabswingers as one of providing a communication channel to find the men. Once that was done, those men should have assessed the situation and if they felt that the lady was unhappy or being coerced they should have refused to touch her and potentially report it.

As another example of a "communication channel" please consider the case of a man who wanted to beat up his neighbour. So he called 3 mates on the phone and asked them over and they did the deed. Are we to accuse BT or Vodaphone of facilitating criminal violence?

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By *I TwoCouple
3 weeks ago

near enough

We have walked away from a few meets, one because the woman was d*unk and very possible on drugs or something.

Twice because the woman definitely didn't seem to be nearly as interested as the man.

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By *irtyFlirtyGirthyMan
3 weeks ago

Cinderford

I’ve just finished listening to the series about this. Very concerning and very sad and I truly feel for the woman involved.

I feel like the series did give a bit of an unfair portrayal of the scene from my perspective but then again my perspective is from single guy/couple perspective.

I do think both this site and the scene in general could do a bit of a better job on education around consent and communication. I’ve been active in the kink scene in the past and my experience there was that consent was generally well managed and prioritised and although not perfect there was an effort made to prioritise consent and to be constantly improving how we express and manage consent.

Maybe I’m generalising a bit here but I think although it wasn’t perfect journalism it isn’t something to be dismissed and there’s definitely things in there that the community could look to engage with.

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By *aleforfun22Man
3 weeks ago

Lancashire

Who believes what anyone from the BBC says.

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By *ctionSandwichCouple
2 weeks ago

Newcastle under Lyme

The article is presented by someone who doesn't actually understand what swinging is. Hubby watch the clips and listened to one of the podcasts too. Switched off when they went to a swinger club and interviewed staff.

They approach the matter from a perspective of someone who things group sex and partner swapping is not acceptable to consenting individuals.

For example their statement that 'consent is assumed at the messaging stage'. We're they even remotely genuine they would understand that simply messaging folk on here can lead absolutely nowhere in the vast majority of cases. Any genuine couple makes the final decision when they've actually met in person.

Again, highlighting out point on wanting some tips.

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By *inky_RagnarCouple
3 days ago

Peterborough


"It seems as if the BBC (16 June 2026) has an article that directly associates Fab with coercive domestic abuse. They even submitted a freedom of information request to determine that "police forces across the UK have told us the site has been mentioned in hundreds of recent crime reports".

Source?

Perhaps they're upset with the coverage of their organisation in the Fab Politics Forum and this is their revenge!"

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By *ixi n DogCouple
2 days ago

Pembrokeshire

Another article on the BBC News site today, Labours Jess Phillips is leading calls for the site to be shut down now.

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By *ostindreamsMan
2 days ago

London


"Another article on the BBC News site today, Labours Jess Phillips is leading calls for the site to be shut down now. "

What next? Shut down swinger clubs? There are many other apps swingers use to find potential partners - like Tinder and feeld. Maybe shut them down too? Or.. Ban swinging?

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By *uckurcumMan
2 days ago

Bishop Auckland

The BBC will probably stretch this article as far as they can ...Very difficult.. coercive relationships are poisonous,but if you admit to going with 'x' numbers of people,and having full sex you'd have assess the validity of the claims made ....

They probably won't rest until this site is closed down as very unlikely they'll go after the big guns ....let's be honest there's far worse goes on in social media sites !

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By *resesse_Meliorem OP   Couple
2 days ago

Border of London

Airtime can only lead to more interest in the site...

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By *oorlandtwoCouple
2 days ago

Stoke on Trent


"It seems as if the BBC (16 June 2026) has an article that directly associates Fab with coercive domestic abuse. They even submitted a freedom of information request to determine that "police forces across the UK have told us the site has been mentioned in hundreds of recent crime reports".

Perhaps they're upset with the coverage of their organisation in the Fab Politics Forum and this is their revenge!

Did you listen to it? You should, after all, it’s information. I found it interesting, shocking but not sensationalised. And it has clarified the importance of genuine consent and both of us checking all elements of consent (verbal and

Non verbal) before any play. Have a listen people."

I had to stop as I found it to be very traumatising

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By *otMe66Man
2 days ago

.


"Another article on the BBC News site today, Labours Jess Phillips is leading calls for the site to be shut down now.

What next? Shut down swinger clubs? There are many other apps swingers use to find potential partners - like Tinder and feeld. Maybe shut them down too? Or.. Ban swinging?"

If the site is not providing adequate guardrails in an environment that it creates, they have 2 options, fix the issues or go out of business.

The glaring issue they are calling out is the lack of control around moderation, that the BBC appear to have confirmed by 3 individuals that have been or are moderators on the site.

Think of it like a physical location, they need to apply a certain level of control and support for the people who use the venue they own.

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By *wayne-PipeMan
2 days ago

howton

I've seen the news report that 50 women have reported being coerced into swinging.. so far anyway

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By *hirleyMan
2 days ago

Wine bar


"Another article on the BBC News site today, Labours Jess Phillips is leading calls for the site to be shut down now. "

BBC News - Fifty women tell BBC they were pressured into having sex with strangers - BBC News

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly5vvw77pzo?app-referrer=search

Don't want it to happen but it's a case of can't play sensible then no one has it. So I can understand if it was to be

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By *arnalConnectionMan
2 days ago

Bristol

I wonder if this will change the number of fabbers who are actively looking for a BBC encounter 😂

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By *ostindreamsMan
2 days ago

London


"Another article on the BBC News site today, Labours Jess Phillips is leading calls for the site to be shut down now.

What next? Shut down swinger clubs? There are many other apps swingers use to find potential partners - like Tinder and feeld. Maybe shut them down too? Or.. Ban swinging?

If the site is not providing adequate guardrails in an environment that it creates, they have 2 options, fix the issues or go out of business.

The glaring issue they are calling out is the lack of control around moderation, that the BBC appear to have confirmed by 3 individuals that have been or are moderators on the site.

Think of it like a physical location, they need to apply a certain level of control and support for the people who use the venue they own. "

What guardrails do you suggest? I couldn't think of anything other than some banners or notices in the page pointing out the importance of consent. Not sure it will be particularly effective in this situation as most of the coercion happens outside the site.

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By *otMe66Man
2 days ago

.


"Another article on the BBC News site today, Labours Jess Phillips is leading calls for the site to be shut down now.

What next? Shut down swinger clubs? There are many other apps swingers use to find potential partners - like Tinder and feeld. Maybe shut them down too? Or.. Ban swinging?

If the site is not providing adequate guardrails in an environment that it creates, they have 2 options, fix the issues or go out of business.

The glaring issue they are calling out is the lack of control around moderation, that the BBC appear to have confirmed by 3 individuals that have been or are moderators on the site.

Think of it like a physical location, they need to apply a certain level of control and support for the people who use the venue they own.

What guardrails do you suggest? I couldn't think of anything other than some banners or notices in the page pointing out the importance of consent. Not sure it will be particularly effective in this situation as most of the coercion happens outside the site."

There are plenty of measures that could be introduced, they wont eliminate the problem entirely because that is not feasible. However, they need to demonstrate that as platform owners they have taken reasonable steps to reduce any potential for harm and to support its users when things go wrong.

If the platform owner creates the environment and benefits from people using it, it is reasonable to expect it to keep improving safeguards rather than standing still, especially when the issues are making national news.

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