Fifty women have spoken out to BBC News, alleging they were pressured or coerced by their partners into having sex with strangers as part of swinging activities. The women shared their experiences following a previous BBC investigation into a woman who claimed she was forced into sexual encounters with over 100 men.

Many of the women reported engaging in sexual acts they did not want to, driven by fear of repercussions from their partners or a perceived need to please them. These experiences have led to significant and lasting trauma, with one woman describing persistent threats and gaslighting from her partner to make her believe the encounters were her desire.

The majority of these encounters were reportedly arranged through the website FabSwingers, which boasts over half a million active UK monthly accounts. Six women specifically told BBC News they had been raped by men they met via the platform. One woman's account detailed how her partner forced her to have sex with more than 90 men through FabSwingers, recounting an instance where he physically restrained her.

Beyond sexual coercion, sixteen women reported that intimate photos of them had been uploaded to the website without their consent. These revelations raise critical questions about consent within the context of swinging and whether abuse can be disguised within the framework of sexual freedom.

Swinging typically involves couples exchanging partners or engaging in sexual activities while a partner watches. While many participants engage consensually, the women who came forward accuse FabSwingers of facilitating abuse and failing to address illegal behavior on its platform. FabSwingers maintains it has moderation policies and is not responsible for private off-platform conduct between adults, stating it does not accept any suggestion of indifference to misuse.

However, former minister for safeguarding, Jess Phillips MP, has called for FabSwingers to be shut down. She argues that police should recognize pressure to participate in swinging as a form of adult sexual exploitation, highlighting that the term "swinging" can imply consent, thereby silencing victims.

Experts consulted by BBC News emphasized that individuals can be manipulated into consenting. They explained that partners who exert pressure may later use the resulting shame as a tool for control over the women.

The BBC's investigation also highlighted the story of Ruth O'Grady, who stated her ex-husband arranged sexual encounters for her with multiple men daily, sometimes up to four in one day. She claims she complied to maintain his happiness. Her ex-husband has not responded to BBC News's inquiries. The women who contacted the BBC in response to O'Grady's story, despite having diverse backgrounds, frequently cited her honesty as an inspiration that gave them the courage to discuss their own hidden abuse.