Three things happening right now that every woman needs to know.
- Yesenia Yser
- May 9
- 9 min read
2026 The Lioness Instincts Newsletter
Brought to you by CyberJiuJiteira
š¦āØ May Recap | Digital Safety Conversations at all levels.Ā šÆ
This Is Happening Now. To Women Like You.
At The Lioness Instincts, our mission is to empower women and families to protect themselves in both physical and digital spaces. This February, we hosted three powerful panel conversations that tackled some of the most pressing digital safety topics of our time. If you missed any of them ā or just want a refresher ā here's what we covered.
WHAT'S HAPPENING OUT THERE
AND HOW TO FIGHT BACK
Three recent stories every woman and parent needs to know about.
We do not share these stories to frighten you. We share them because awareness is the first line of defense ā and because the world our daughters are growing up in demands that we stay informed, stay prepared, and stay connected to communities that have our backs.
1. THE "ONLINE RAPE ACADEMY" AND WHY IT MATTERS FOR ALL OF US
In March 2026, CNN published findings from a months-long investigation into a website that describes itself as a "moral free file host where anything legal is hosted forever" ā a site that received approximately 62 million visits in February alone, whose core audience is in the United States.
What investigators found inside was a coordinated community of men sharing detailed instructions on how to drug and sexually assault their wives and partners while they slept. German investigative journalists also uncovered dozens of Telegram groups with up to 70,000 members and rape videos reaching millions of views.
This is not an isolated incident or a dark corner of the internet that doesn't touch everyday life. In England and Wales, 43% of recorded sexual assaults involved a partner or ex-partner, and the proportion of victims recorded as having been assaulted while unconscious or asleep has risen to 23% over the last decade. One survivor described how even with video evidence, police told her it looked like she was "pretending to be asleep."
This is exactly the intersection of digital and physical danger that Lioness Instincts was built to address.Ā Online communities are being used to coordinate real-world harm against women ā in their own homes, by people they trust.
How to protect yourself and fight back:
š Trust your instincts.Ā If something feels wrong in your home or relationship, it is worth investigating. Unusual drowsiness after eating or drinking ā especially in patterns ā should never be dismissed.
š Know the signs of drugging.Ā Sudden extreme fatigue, confusion, memory gaps, or waking up in positions you don't remember are all warning signs. If you suspect you have been drugged, seek medical attention immediately and request a toxicology screen.
š Document and report.Ā Take photos, keep records of dates and incidents, and contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233Ā ā available 24/7, free and confidential.
š Talk about it.Ā These networks thrive in silence. Naming what is happening removes their power. Share this information with the women in your life.
2. MEN ARE BUYING TOOLS TO HACK AND SURVEIL THEIR PARTNERS
This one is closer to home than most people realize ā and it does not require a skilled hacker.
Thousands of men are members of Telegram groups and channels that advertise and sell hacking and surveillance services that can be used to harass wives, girlfriends, and former partners. Researchers at AI Forensics analyzed nearly 2.8 million messages across 16 communities actively trading abusive content targeting women and girls. Snopes
The tool at the center of much of this is called stalkerwareĀ ā also known as spouseware. Stalkerware is commercially available software used to spy on a victim's device without their knowledge or consent. Once planted on a phone or computer ā usually by someone who knows your passcode ā it can track your location in real time, read your encrypted messages, monitor your calls, access your photos and videos, and even remotely activate your microphone and camera. YouTube
A 2024 report found that 62% of people in the United States and Canada admitted to monitoring their romantic partners online in one form or another. And critically: the stalker does not have to be a skilled hacker. They just need easily accessible consumer spyware and an opportunity to install it on their target's device. SnopesYouTube
The good news: law enforcement is beginning to act. The founder of stalkerware maker pcTattletale pleaded guilty to hacking and advertising surveillance software ā a landmark case that privacy advocates hope changes the risk calculation for the entire stalkerware industry. Yahoo!
How to protect yourself and fight back:
š± Audit your devices.Ā Go through your phone's installed apps regularly. Look for anything you don't remember downloading. On Android, check Settings ā Apps ā See all apps and look for anything unfamiliar or that requests excessive permissions.
š± Protect your passcode.Ā Never share your phone passcode with a partner, no matter how trusted. Your device is your private space.
š± Check for signs of stalkerware.Ā Unusual battery drain, phone running hot when not in use, data usage spikes, or your phone taking longer to shut down can all be indicators.
š± Use the Coalition Against Stalkerware's resources.Ā Visit stopstalkerware.orgĀ for a safety checklist, detection guidance, and support.
š± Enable Google Play ProtectĀ on Android ā it actively blocks known stalkerware installations.
š± If you are leaving a relationship, change all passwords from a device the other person has never had access to, before you leave.
3. AI DEEPFAKES ARE IN OUR CHILDREN'S SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW
This is the one that keeps us up at night ā and the one most parents are not yet having conversations about.
Teenage students ā mainly girls ā have increasingly found themselves the victims of AI-generated deepfake nude pictures shared with classmates, a trend that experts say could create lasting psychological damage. In one case, a 14-year-old girl was on her way to English class when a group of girls warned her that an eighth-grade boy had made a fake AI-generated naked image of her. Nsane ForumsNsane Forums
The scale is staggering. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported that AI-generated child sexual abuse images reported to its cyber tipline soared from 4,700 in 2023 to 440,000 in just the first six months of 2025. And an estimated 99% of sexual deepfakes target girls and women. TechCrunchMissingKids.org
What makes this particularly dangerous is how accessible the tools have become. Until the past few years, people needed some technical skills to create realistic deepfakes. Now, you can do it on an app, download it on social media, and have no technical expertise whatsoever. Safeescape
The legal landscape is beginning to catch up. The "Take It Down Act," a federal law signed in May, now makes it a federal crime to publish nude or explicit images ā whether real or fake ā of a child, and requires online platforms to remove nonconsensual images within 48 hours of a victim's report. But school districts often still fail to treat AI-generated sexually explicit images with the seriousness they deserve, and only a fraction have policies addressing deepfakes. TechCrunchNsane Forums
How to protect yourself, your daughters, and fight back:
š”ļø Have the conversation now.Ā Talk to your children about deepfakes before they encounter them. Use age-appropriate language: "Someone could take your photo and use AI to make it look like something it isn't. That is illegal and it is not your fault."
š”ļø Audit your child's social media privacy settings.Ā Set profiles to private. Limit who can download or screenshot photos.
š”ļø Know what to do if it happens.Ā Report to the platform immediately using the NCII reporting tools. Report to your school in writing ā not verbally ā so there is a record. Contact local law enforcement and reference the Take It Down Act.
š”ļø Use StopNCII.orgĀ ā a tool that allows victims to create a digital fingerprint of an image that platforms use to prevent its spread, without the victim having to re-share the image.
š”ļø Report to NCMECĀ at CyberTipline.orgĀ ā the national reporting center for child sexual exploitation online.
š”ļø If your school has no policy, push for one.Ā Request a meeting with administration and bring this newsletter. Schools that have been most effective are those where parents demanded action.
This is why Lioness Instincts exists.
Physical safety and digital safety are not two separate conversations anymore. They never really were. The women being drugged in their homes, the partners being surveilled through their phones, the girls having their images weaponized in school hallways ā these are all expressions of the same problem: a world that has not yet decided women's safety is non-negotiable.
We have decided. And we are building the community, the training, and the resources to prove it.
š Resources & Links
š Online Safety Resource GuideĀ (free 8-page download)
š AQ'S Corner Storybook & Coloring BooksĀ for young digital citizens
šļø Upcoming Events
From self-defense to digital safety ā here is what we have coming up. We would love to see you there.
š Jacksonville, Florida
Women's Self-Defense with Jiu-Jitsu
šļø Every Monday at 6:00 PM ET š Smiley Academy of Martial Arts ā Oakleaf, Florida
Come learn practical self-defense skills in a supportive, women-centered environment. Whether you are a complete beginner or looking to build on existing skills, this weekly class is designed for you. Show up, train hard, and leave feeling more confident and capable.
šļø Grab your tickets here: š https://www.eventbrite.com/e/womens-self-defense-with-jiu-jitsu-in-oakleaf-fl-tickets-1983741754990?aff=erelexpmlt#organizer-card
š» Virtual Events
Digital Safety IS Physical Safety: The Hidden Link Between Your Online Life
šļø Wednesday, May 27 at 4:30 PM ET š Virtual
The line between your online world and your physical safety is thinner than you think. Join us for an eye-opening conversation on how your digital footprint can put you at risk in the real world ā and what you can do about it.
šļø Grab your tickets here: š https://www.eventbrite.com/e/digital-safety-is-physical-safety-the-hidden-link-between-your-online-life-tickets-1989053075292 The Threat Within: Medical Insider Threats & Healthcare Security
šļø Friday, May 30 at 12 PM ET š Virtual
Your most sensitive data isn't just in your inbox ā it's in your medical records. Join us and Dany as we pull back the curtain on insider threats within healthcare systems and what patients need to know to protect themselves.
šļø Grab your tickets here: š https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-threat-within-medical-insider-threats-healthcare-security-tickets-1989054894734
š¤ Partner Event
Women's Jiu-Jitsu Competition by ChickJitsu
šļø May 30, 2025 š Jacksonville, FL
We are thrilled to announce that The Lioness Instincts is partnering with ChickJitsu for their upcoming Women's Jiu-Jitsu Competition in Jacksonville! ChickJitsu is doing incredible work creating space for women in the sport and we are honored to be part of it. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the event.
š Learn more about ChickJitsu: š https://chickjitsu.com/
South Florida BJJ RetreatĀ
šļø July 18 2025 š Miami, FL
The South Florida BJJ Retreat brings together yoga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, mobility work, and genuine human connection in one intentional space ā designed specifically for women who want to move their bodies, build their confidence, and walk away feeling stronger than when they arrived. Whether you are brand new to the mat or years into your journey, this retreat meets you exactly where you are. Space is limited and we are actively fundraising to sponsor women who need financial support to attend.
.š Learn more about SOFL BJJ Retreat: š Register
š Stay notified ā join our mailing list and Eventbrite group:
š§” NOW ā HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP
We just launched our fundraising campaign and we are coming to our community first ā because this has always been built by the people in this circle.
We are raising $1,650Ā to send our ladies to compete and train this season:
š„ $1,200Ā sends 16 lionessesĀ to the Chickjitsu absolute division ā May 30
šæ $450Ā sends 3 ladiesĀ to a BJJ retreat ā July 18
That's $75 to send one woman to compete. That's $150 to change someone's summer.
No overhead. No fluff. Every dollar goes directly to a woman's access to the mat.
Why it matters beyond the competition:
Every woman we send to compete is a woman who trained to protect herself. Who learned to stay calm under pressure. Who showed up in a room that didn't always look like her ā and held her ground anyway.
That is the Lioness Instincts mission in action. Physical safety, confidence, and community ā built one mat at a time.
Our deadline is May 25.
If you've been waiting for a sign to get involved ā this is it.
š Donation Page:Ā Give directly and help women access life-changing safety resources:Ā š Donation Link
Can't donate right now? Forward this newsletter to one person who might. A single forward could be the donation that closes our goal.
Thank you for being in this circle. It means everything. š¦
The Lioness Instincts is fiscally sponsored by The Hack Foundation (d.b.a. Hack Club), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 81-2908499). Donations support operational costs, free and low-cost self-defense classes, digital safety webinars, competition scholarships, and sponsored retreats for women athletes.
š Until Next Time
Thank you for being part of The Lioness Instincts community. Every panel we host, every class we teach, and every resource we share exists because of people like you ā who show up, stay curious, and believe that knowledge is one of the most powerful forms of protection.
Whether you are just beginning your safety journey or have been with us from the start, we are honored to walk alongside you. Stay safe, stay empowered, and do not hesitate to reach out, share these resources with someone who needs them, or come train with us on a Monday. We are always in your corner.
ā The Lioness Instincts TeamĀ š¦š
š² Stay Connected with the Pride
š Stay ahead of our next event š www.thelionessinstincts.com/mailing-list
š² Connect With Us
Email: info@thelionessinstincts.com
Website: www.thelionessinstincts.com
YouTube: @thelionessinstincts
š„ Missed a Webinar?Ā Catch all the replays here ā”ļø Lioness Instincts YouTube š»
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