A BuzzFeed investigation, which will be reported over several days, uncovers sexual violence against young men by landlords and reveals how they are being enabled by major internet companies, including Facebook.

Reporter, Patrick Strudwick investigated a Facebook group called “Gay Houseboy’s and those who hire them,” describes as a “group for gay men seeking gay boys to work for them as houseboys, and for gay houseboys seeking employment”. According to the Strudwick’s report, it’s members “post adverts enticing young men to exchange sex for a place to stay”.

Strudwick writes that posts on the Facebook group, and the group itself, “operate under one of several disguises that conceal gay sex-for-rent arrangements, keeping such setups hidden from those who should be looking. In this instance, the disguise is simply a word: houseboy.”

Most of the posts, he says, are explicit in terms of offering accommodation in return for gay sex.

One post reads: “Looking for a white male 18-25 to come and join our household for a life in position. General duties will include cleaning, walking the dog, shopping, cooking and general house projects… This position would ideally include sex and lots of affection from our boy.”

“Married couple here 40 and 46 seeking our forever boy for total and complete ownership,” says another.

Young gay men looking for accommodation in return for sex also post on the page. One such member messaged BuzzFeed, saying the landlords “tend to assume that every houseboy is a whore… I was the opposite. I just wanted stability.” People he knows who have also taken up houseboy positions “have been kicked out…it’s really not a safe way to live…the men really think they own you.”

Despite the explicit nature of the postings, the group’s administrator told BuzzFeed News that Facebook has not intervened. “We have never had an incident from Facebook,” he said. “If they [members] want to post something that will not fly with Facebook I write them and tell them what needs to be changed.”

The investigation, which began in early February, features stories of young men being raped, strangled, enslaved, and hospitalised.

Although BuzzFeed has contacted Facebook several times for comment, there has been no response and the group remains live.