International drug-facilitated assault investigation identifies 41 Canadian-linked victims and suspects

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has identified 41 Canadian-linked victims and perpetrators as part of Project Medusa, a multinational initiative targeting online networks connected to drug-facilitated sexual assault.

The initiative, led by the U.K. and Germany with support from Europol, aims to identify and disrupt networks focused on offences in intimate-partner settings facilitated through online communities. Canadian participation is coordinated through the Europol National Contact Point Canada within the RCMP's Federal Policing International Operations program.

Since the project's launch in April, participating countries have initiated 113 investigations, safeguarded 158 victims, and made 57 arrests. Project Medusa has identified 156 victims and perpetrators internationally as of July 2 and generated 274 new investigative leads, identifying four previously unknown online communities linked to DFSA.

The RCMP's Behavioural Sciences Investigative Services assesses and coordinates referrals related to suspected DFSA cases received from international partners, providing tactical intelligence support to identify suspected Canadian offenders, support police investigations, enhance victim safeguarding, and contribute to preventing further victimization. "The objective of Project Medusa is to identify offenders and protect victims, many of whom may be unaware they are being victimized," the RCMP said. No further details about the Canadian-linked victims and perpetrators can be released as investigations are ongoing.