CTV NEWS EXCLUSIVE: 41 Canadian-linked assault victims, suspects identified in Project Medusa, RCMP says

After a W5 investigation British police have announced a national response to combat organized networks of offenders accused of drugging and assaulting women.

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The RCMP says 41 Canadian-linked victims and suspected perpetrators have been identified through Project Medusa, a multinational law enforcement operation targeting online networks linked to drug-facilitated sexual assault.

“The project focuses on identifying and disrupting online networks linked to drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA), particularly offences occurring in intimate-partner settings and facilitated through online communities,” it said in an email to CTV News.

The RCMP also said that Canadian investigators are actively involved in the international initiative led by the United Kingdom and Germany, with support from Europol and participation from several partner countries.

“Project Medusa has generated significant international results, including the identification of 156 victims and perpetrators, the development of 274 new investigative leads, and the identification of four previously unknown online communities linked to this type of criminal activity,” it said.

The RCMP said Canada’s participation is co-ordinated through the Europol National Contact Point Canada within its Federal Policing International Operations program.

The force said the project receives investigative leads involving suspected offences with Canadian connections, analyzes the information and forwards it to the police service or agency with jurisdiction for investigation.

Information developed through those investigations can then be shared with Canadian and international law enforcement partners to support additional investigations.

The RCMP said its Behavioural Sciences Investigative Services is also supporting the initiative by assessing referrals involving suspected drug-facilitated sexual assault received from international partners and providing criminal intelligence to help identify suspected Canadian offenders, support investigations and enhance efforts to safeguard victims.

The force said investigative and enforcement actions remain the responsibility of the police service with jurisdiction, while the RCMP facilitates international information sharing and co-ordination through Canada’s partnership with Europol.

The RCMP declined to provide further operational details, citing ongoing investigations.

The international investigation follows W5’s documentary Sleeping with the Enemy, which exposed a global online network of men accused of secretly drugging intimate partners, sexually assaulting them and sharing videos of the abuse online.

One of the Canadian suspects identified through W5’s investigation was Hamilton resident Bryan Hayward, who pleaded guilty in June to 21 charges involving seven women, including sexual assault, voyeurism and distributing intimate images without consent.

The RCMP said identifying offenders and protecting victims remains the primary objective of Project Medusa, noting that many victims may not realize they have been assaulted.

If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:

• Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety.
• The Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres' website has a comprehensive list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling.
• The Ending Violence Association of Canada‘s website has links to helplines, support services and locations across Canada that offer sexual assault kits.
• Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis lines: [phone] or [phone] (24/7)
• Toronto Rape Crisis Centre crisis line: [phone] (24/7)
• Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: [phone] (24/7)
• Trans Lifeline: [phone]
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 (24/7)
• Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre for current and former Canadian Armed Forces members: [phone]
• Read about your rights as a victim on the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime website.

With files from Derek Miller, Judy Trinh and W5’s Avery Haines