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Sexual Assault Prevention: Date-Rape Drugs
Protecting yourself from drugs used in sexual assault
Sexual assault is easier to commit with a victim who is not
resisting. Drugs can affect awareness, cognition, and responses,
and there has been growing concern about the different types of drugs
used to facilitate sexual assault against women and men.
The drugs used cause the victim to be incapacitated, unable to
fight back, or, in many cases, unable even to remember than an assault
occurred. These types of drugs are commonly referred to as “date-rape”
drugs because they are often used as a precursor to sexual
assault. However, these drugs have been used in other
types of crimes such as robbery and other forms of physical violence.
What are date-rape drugs and what do they do?
Date-rape drugs often work quickly, within 10-20 minutes, and are
difficult to spot because they have no smell, taste, texture or
color. They come in liquid, powder, and pill forms that can be
easily added to drinks without someone’s knowledge. The drugs
cause victims to become ill, disoriented, very sleepy and unable to
move or think clearly, and/or incapable of remembering what happened
to them. The effects of the drugs can be intensified by alcohol and
can last anywhere from 2-24 hours.
Rapists are using the date rape drugs as a way to overpower their
victims. The drugs are, sadly, easily accessible, especially on
college campuses and in college towns. Many are legal for other
purposes and are therefore readily available and inexpensive.
Attackers may bring a person a drink, like a soda, beer, or coffee,
and put the drug in it. Or they put the drug in the drink or food
while the targeted person is temporarily away from it (i.e. in the
bathroom, talking to friends, etc.). Often, when the victim becomes
ill or disoriented, the rapist is able to take the victim to a
different location easily to commit a sexual assault. The victim wakes
up later and is rarely able to remember what happened.
There are at least three date rape drugs:
Rohypnol (Roofies, Rope, Ruffies, R2, Ruffles, Roche,
Forget-pill): is a pill that dissolves in liquids. It is odorless and
tasteless, and until recently, colorless. The new pills turn
blue when added to liquids. However, the old pills, with no color, are
still available. It takes effect after about 10-20 minutes and
last 2-8 hours. It is a strong tranquilizer and causes extreme
sleepiness, amnesia, problems talking, and muscle relaxation.
Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate (GHB, Liquid Extacy, Liquid X, Scoop,
Easy Lay) is a liquid, powder or tablet used in a certain form by body
builders. In some situations, it can have a slightly salty
taste. The drug gives a feeling of calm, relaxation, and
sensuality, and, for women especially, it can cause a loss of
inhibition. It can cause sudden and deep sleep if given in a large
dose. It takes effect in 10-15 minutes and lasts a few hours.
The effect can last much longer when taken with alcohol.
Ketamine Hydrochloride ('K', Special K, Vitamin K, Ket) is a
liquid, powder or pill that is an anesthetic used mainly as an animal
tranquilizer. It is a newer date-rape drug and causes amnesia, a
dream-like feeling or dissociation (the feeling of the mind being
separated from the body), loss of sense of time, and hallucinations.
How to protect yourself.
- Use the buddy system in group situations. If you have a friend
you trust with you, you are safer.
- Watch out for your friends and make sure they are watching out
for you when you are places with lots of people or people you don’t
know and trust like at a party, in a coffeehouse, or in a bar.
- Be aware. Now that you know about date rape drugs, it is your
responsibility to watch out for yourself and people you care
about.
- Don’t go home with someone you don’t both know and trust.
- Don’t accept drinks when you are alone at a house where there
are strangers (like at a party).
- Watch when someone pours you a drink. Better yet, get your own
drink.
- Make an agreement ahead of time with friends that you won’t
let each other leave with people you haven’t planned to go with.
- Think before you leave your drink or food unattended at a party
or coffeehouse or lounge or anywhere else that people you don't
know and trust could have access to it.
- Think before you drink anything out of a punch bowl about where
you are and whom you are with.
- If you hear someone "kidding" about date rape drugs,
pay attention. That should be a warning to leave that party or
individual.
- Monitor the behavior of friends who seem more intoxicated or
confused than the amount of alcohol would warrant.
Is alcohol a date rape drug?
While GHB, Rohypnol, and Ketamine are considered "date rape
drugs," there are other drugs that affect judgment and behavior
and can put a person at risk for unwanted or risky sexual activity.
Alcohol is one of those drugs. When a person is drinking alcohol:
· It's harder to think clearly and
evaluate a potentially dangerous situation.
· It's harder to resist sexual or
physical assault.
· Drinking too much alcohol can also
cause blackouts and memory loss.
But remember: even if a victim of sexual assault drank alcohol, he
or she is NOT at fault for being assaulted.
If you think that you have been drugged and raped:
- Go to the police station or hospital right away.
- Get a urine (pee) test as soon as possible. The drugs leave your
system quickly. Rohypnol leaves your body 72 hours after you take
it. GHB leaves the body in 12 hours.
- Don't urinate before getting help.
- Don't douche, bathe, or change clothes before getting help.
These things may give evidence of the rape.
- You also can call a crisis center or a hotline to talk with a
counselor. One national hotline is the National Domestic Violence
Hotline at 800-799-SAFE or 800-787-3224 (TDD). Feelings of shame,
guilt, fear and shock are normal. It is important to get
counseling from a trusted professional.
For more information on date rape drugs in the United States,
contact the National Women's Health Information Center at
800-994-9662.
Sexual assault facilitated by drugs can be prevented much of the
time by awareness of the problem and by taking charge to minimize the
chances of ingesting the drug. Date-rape drugs are used much
more often than many people realize and are important to keep in mind
in social situations. Simple precautions, such as never taking a drink
from someone you don’t trust and going out with aware friends, can
make a huge difference. Make sure to talk about date-rape drugs
with friends and family so that they can be informed and aware as
well.
©
Copyright 2004. All rights reserved.
A publication of KIDPOWER TEENPOWER FULLPOWER International
www.kidpower.org
831-426-4407
Permission to reproduce granted with copyright notice and contact
information
at beginning and end of each article used.
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