Male Order

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Aleks Krotoski investigates sperm donors and the unofficial online fertility market.

Aleks Krotoski investigates sperm donors and why people put themselves and their future children at risk by going online to find them.

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Male Order: 5. Culture of Fear

5. Culture of Fear

BBC Radio 4 - Male Order, 5. Culture of Fear

In the online fertility marketplace, where do women turn when donors are in charge?

The online sperm donor marketplace is run by donors, making it difficult for anyone to speak out against them.

The online fertility marketplaces promise free access to sperm and the opportunity to include a donor in a child’s life from the beginning, but they come with dangers too. Women report harassment, sexually explicit messages and pressure for sex. But because they are asking for sperm, some say they feel powerless to report these activities to the authorities. 

Drew, a long-time donor, tries to raise awareness about the few problematic donors who harass and abuse women in the online donor network, and hosts a support group on Facebook where the women can share their stories of less-than-positive experiences. Meanwhile, former recipient Veronika lurks in the online groups and sends private messages to women she sees speaking with the donor she claims attacked her.

But the way the online marketplace is set up favours the donors, rather than the women who seek them and the people who speak out.

Presenter: Aleks Krotoski

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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5. Culture of Fear

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