The bed you thought was safe, isn't safe: how Zoe Watts survived drug-facilitated rape and fought back

For years, her husband was adding sedatives to her evening cup of tea. Now, with fellow survivor Amanda Stanhope, she is lifting the lid on a hidden and terrible crime

Published 22 July 2026 301 words
SOCIETY B1
The bed you thought was safe, isn't safe: how Zoe Watts survived drug-facilitated rape and fought back

Two women, Zoe Watts and Amanda Stanhope, are speaking out about a terrible crime called drug-facilitated rape (DFSA). This happens when someone drugs another person and then attacks them while they are unable to defend themselves. For a long time, these crimes were not widely known.

The case of Gisèle Pelicot in 2024 helped bring attention to DFSA. Amanda Stanhope heard about Pelicot's case and felt less alone. Pelicot's husband was found guilty of DFSA and also for involving many other people in attacking her. Zoe Watts was also following this case. Her ex-husband had already been sent to prison for drugging and raping her over several years. Watts said that Pelicot's story was like opening a window and letting in fresh air, making her realize she was not the only one.

These attacks can be very hidden. Zoe Watts discovered her husband had been adding sedatives to her tea for years, then raping her and filming it. He confessed this to her in 2018. He told her he did it because he thought she would prefer him to look at pictures of her rather than women on porn sites. Watts took six months to report him to the police. She explained that the experience of DFSA changes your whole life because the person you trusted most is the one who harms you. The bed where you thought you were safe is no longer safe.

Amanda Stanhope also experienced DFSA from her former partner, David Rogerson. He would drug her while she slept and then abuse her. She had symptoms like confusion and memory loss, and doctors initially thought she had Alzheimer's disease. She was given many medications, but after the relationship ended, she no longer needed them. She realised that he had been gaslighting her, making her doubt her own mind. She now helps Watts with a campaign called #EndEyeCheck, which aims to raise awareness about DFSA and prevent it.

Vocabulary

sedatives — substances that make someone calm or help them to sleep
survivor — a person who has experienced a difficult or traumatic event and managed to continue living
lifting the lid — revealing or telling secret information
diabolical — extremely wicked or cruel
drug-facilitated rape — sex without consent when one person has been given drugs to make them unable to resist
convicted — found guilty of a crime in court
attention — notice or awareness
campaign — an organized effort to achieve a particular goal, such as raising awareness

Discussion Questions

  1. What is drug-facilitated rape (DFSA)?
  2. How did hearing about Gisèle Pelicot's case help Zoe Watts and Amanda Stanhope?
  3. Why is DFSA considered a 'hidden' crime, and how does it affect victims' sense of safety?

Based on an article from The Guardian.

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