In 2018 Zoe Watts' family believed her 16-year marriage was ending due to an affair. Struggling with debilitating panic attacks, sleeplessness, and nervous breakdowns, she finally confided in her sister, revealing a far more horrifying reality. Her husband hadn't just splintered their family with infidelity; he confessed to secretly drugging her with their son's sleeping medication and sexually abusing her while she was unconscious.

Years before the world learned the name Gisèle Pelicot, Zoe was forced to navigate the shadowed, rarely discussed reality of spousal drug-facilitated rape. After seeing her husband sentenced to 11 years in prison, Zoe waived her legal anonymity to share her story as part of a global CNN investigation exposing online "rape academies"—hidden communities where thousands of men swap tips for drugging their partners. In this episode of True Crime Conversations, Gemma Bath speaks with Zoe Watts about surviving unimaginable betrayal, standing up against secret online networks, and her crusade to reform the laws that allow this crime to fester in the dark.

Listen to 'Inside The Hidden Network Of Men Drugging And Raping Their Wives' here.

LINKS

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If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Contact Full Stop Australia on 1800 385 578, 7 days, 24 hours.

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Want us to cover a case on the podcast? Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note.

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Make sure to leave us a rating and review on Apple & Spotify to let us know how you're liking the episodes. 

CREDITS

Host & Executive Producer: Gemma Bath

Guest: Zoe Watts

Producer: Ella Maitland

Video Editor: Julian Rosario

Audio Design: Tegan Sadler

Mamamia acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we have recorded this podcast.

In 2018 Zoe Watts' family believed her 16-year marriage was ending due to an affair. Struggling with debilitating panic attacks, sleeplessness, and nervous breakdowns, she finally confided in her sister, revealing a far more horrifying reality. Her husband hadn't just splintered their family with infidelity; he confessed to secretly drugging her with their son's sleeping medication and sexually abusing her while she was unconscious.
Years before the world learned the name Gis&egrave;le Pelicot, Zoe was forced to navigate the shadowed, rarely discussed reality of spousal drug-facilitated rape. After seeing her husband sentenced to 11 years in prison, Zoe waived her legal anonymity to share her story as part of a global CNN investigation exposing online "rape academies"&mdash;hidden communities where thousands of men swap tips for drugging their partners. In this episode of&nbsp;True Crime Conversations, Gemma Bath speaks with Zoe Watts about surviving unimaginable betrayal, standing up against secret online networks, and her crusade to reform the laws that allow this crime to fester in the dark.
<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/true-crime-conversations/gisele-pelicot-global-rape-academy-cnn-investigation/">Listen to 'Inside The Hidden Network Of Men Drugging And Raping Their Wives' here.</a>
LINKS
<a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8954679/HF-BUS-2026">We want to hear from you! Take our quick 3-minute survey for your chance to win a $1,000 gift card.</a>
If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on <a href="tel:1300 22 4636">1300 22 4636</a>.
Contact <a href="https://fullstop.org.au/" data-linktype="link">Full Stop Australia</a> on <a href="tel:1800 385 578">1800 385 578</a>, 7 days, 24 hours.
GET IN TOUCH
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/truecrimeconversations/?hl=en">@truecrimeconversations</a>
Want us to cover a case on the podcast? Email us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:truecrime@mamamia.com.au">truecrime@mamamia.com.au</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960">send us a voice note.</a>
MAMAMIA OFFERS:
<ul>
<li>Get access to Very Peri, Mamamia's exclusive perimenopause series, for just $59. 25 world-leading experts, over 20 on-demand sessions, available now. We&rsquo;ve sorted through the noise so you don't have to. Go to<a href="http://veryperi.com.au/"> veryperi.com.au</a> today. You hot? Same.</li>
</ul>
Make sure to leave us a rating and review on Apple &amp; Spotify to let us know how you're liking the episodes.&nbsp;
CREDITS
Host &amp; Executive Producer: Gemma Bath
Guest: Zoe Watts
Producer: Ella Maitland
Video Editor: Julian Rosario
Audio Design: Tegan Sadler
Mamamia acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we have recorded this podcast.

True Crime Conversations explores the world's most notorious crimes by speaking to the people who know the most about them. Hosted by Gemma Bath.

True Crime Conversations explores the world's most notorious crimes by speaking to the people who know the most about them. Hosted by Gemma Bath.

True Crime Conversations

Zoe’s Husband Drugged Her Evening Tea. For Years He Assaulted Her While She Slept

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/3ea926be-9be7-482a-8ac3-a44f016e43d1/clips/bcd25c59-2814-4fcf-840f-b4b80044c404/transcript