Drug rape is a terrifying experience and it is illegal. It is the violent act that takes place with no screams and no apparent resistance from the victim, yet it can leave the same scars as any assault - physical, emotional and psychological. In essence, it can happen to anyone - male or female - but everyone can take the appropriate steps to ensure that it does not happen to them.
Drug-assisted sexual assault, or drug rape as it is more commonly known, can be defined as the administering of a drug against an individual's wishes, or without their knowledge, which incapacitates or disorientates the individual with the intention of carrying out a sexual assault.
Although reported instances of drug rape are few, evidence suggests that the problem may be larger than the number of reported cases would have us believe.
Research has shown that in over 50 per cent of drug rape cases the drug was administered through alcohol and 70 per cent of attackers were known to their victims in some way. It is no surprise, therefore, that most instances of drug rape occur in pubs and clubs, where the hustle and bustle of the environment, can allow a drug to be slipped into a drink unnoticed. However, other places - such as homes, hotels, house parties, university campuses and business offices - have been the scene for drug rape assaults. In addition, drug rape is not a crime exclusively perpetrated on women - 12 per cent of known victims have been male.
This section of the website is designed to inform you about how you can avoid becoming a victim, and what you should do if you suspect that you have been a victim.
The Drugs
There are a number of drugs that are known to have been used in drug rape cases.
GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate) and GBL (Gamma-butyrolactone). These drugs are closely related, looking the same and having the same effects. Both are difficult to detect when placed within a drink due to being colourless and practically odourless, although it can have a slightly salty taste.
Ketamine. The drug's anaesthetic properties reduce the victim's sensitivity to pain and can affect their senses, judgement and co-ordination for 18-24 hours. It is also referred to as Special K and K.
Rohypnol. A common misconception surrounding drug rape is that a drug called Rohypnol is the principal drug used in such cases. Currently, no instances of Rohypnol being administered in drug rape cases have been reported in the UK, although the drug does have the potential to be used.
Alcohol. The oldest drug used to sedate and incapacitate is alcohol itself. Putting alcohol into a drink without that person's knowledge to facilitate a sexual assault is viewed by the police just as seriously as the administering of any other drug rape drug.
Cannabis. In a survey of drug rape victims in the USA, 30 per cent of victims had been drugged by cannabis prior to the sexual assault.
Other 'street names' for drugs known to have been used in drug rape cases are Mexican Valium and Scoop. If you are offered drugs with these names then you should be aware that they could have the effect of making you mentally incapacitated and physically helpless, thus putting you in a vulnerable position.
You should also be aware that prescription drugs can also be used to facilitate assaults. It is suspected that drugs such as Mogodon, Valium and other barbiturates have been used in drug rape cases, and certainly have the potential to be used.
The Effects
There are tell-tale changes in your body and your psychology that could indicate to you that a drug has been put in your drink. Please note them and look out for them. If you are aware of the effects, then, even if your drink has been drugged, you may be in able to remove yourself from danger and get help. Phone the police or contact a trusted friend immediately.
The drugs can:
- Give you a feeling of euphoria or the sense that you are sleepwalking and unaware of what is happening around you.
- Cause a numbing sensation in your lips and tongue.
- Be strongly hypnotic, making you extremely open to suggestion and likely to behave in a manner out of character.
- Produce adverse physical effects such as decreased blood pressure, memory impairment, drowsiness, visual disturbances, dizziness, confusion.
- Produce gastrointestinal disturbance and urinary retention.
Do not expect to experience all of these symptoms; the list above combines various effects associated with a variety of drugs that have been used in drug rape cases. Be aware of how you are feeling and behaving, and put yourself into a position of safety if you experience similar changes in your body and your psychological state.
Staying Safe
When you are out in a bar or club, or at a party in a friend's house, are you always confident that no-one could have put a drug into your drink? Do you ever leave it unattended? Are you ever having such a good time that you find yourself trusting every stranger around you - to the extent that you allow them to buy you drinks, or maybe look after your drink for you? If so, then there is always a chance that you could become a victim of drug rape. Although the possibility of it happening to you is slim, why take the chance when you can take simple steps to ensure that you won't become a victim?
Protect yourself by following some simple practical steps:
- When going to a pub, club or party avoid going alone; you are far more vulnerable on your own. If you are with friends, then you are with people who can look out for each other.
- Plan your journey to and from home. Make sure somebody knows where you are going and what time you will be home.
- Stay aware of what is going on around you, and stay away from situations that you do not feel comfortable with.
- Do not leave your drink unattended, even when going to the toilet.
- Covering your drink is a good idea, but whether you use a glass or a bottle if you leave it unattended, you'll not be able to see if anything has been put in it.
- Do not share or exchange drinks.
- Think before you accept a drink from anyone.
- If there is something strange about your drink, it has been moved, looks different, appears to have been topped-up, or has a different taste, then don't drink it. Throw it away.
- Know your own tolerance level. Getting drunk can also affect your actions and the way in which you might react to certain situations.
- Be aware that the majority of drugs which could be used to incapacitate you will not be easily detectable in a drink.
- Remember that drugs can be put into soft drinks (e.g. tea, coffee, fruit juice) as well as alcoholic drinks.
- Consider very carefully whether you should leave a pub, club or party with someone you have just met.
- If you start to feel drunk when you shouldn't, seek help from a trusted friend or a member of the club or pub management. It is important to get to a place of safety as soon as possible.
Remember, if you're not keeping an eye on your drink then somebody else might be.
If You Have Been A Victim
How will you know if you have been a victim?
Due to the nature of the drugs that have been administered, you are unlikely to have a clear recollection of what happened to you. Victims of drug rape have spoken of having 'blacked out' until well into the next day and of having no recollection of what happened while they were under the influence of the drug. This 'blacking out' may not necessarily consist of losing consciousness, but may involve the brain 'switching off'. There are also accounts of victims being aware of what was happening to them but powerless to prevent the attack. Other accounts state that the victims remembered nothing of the attack until they began to experience 'flashbacks' in which they recalled brief details of what occurred.
The assault may also affect the victim emotionally, psychologically and physically:
- You may feel, frightened, ashamed or angry.
- You may experience sleeplessness or have nightmares.
- You may lose your appetite.
- You may experience mood swings.
- You may recoil from the touch of others.
- You may have physical signs of assault such as bruising (which may not appear until 24-48 hours after the incident).
- You may experience an unusual discharge.
- You may feel guilty because you 'consented' to the sexual act. You should always remember that if 'consent' is given due to the effects of a drug then this is not the same as having given your reasoned consent.
The emotional and psychological responses detailed above are common in the wake of a traumatic experience. You should bear in mind that it is not your fault that you were drugged and attacked - it is entirely the fault of your attacker.
Moreover, you don't have to cope alone. You can talk to a trained counsellor who has helped other people deal with similar experiences. They can offer you a safe place to talk about your experiences and fears, and we will help to put you in contact with such people.
What should you do?
The police are responsible for investigating the crime committed against you. You can help catch your attacker by taking some very simple measures.
- Report the crime to your local police station as soon as possible - the sooner you report the crime the greater chance of the police catching your attacker.
- Urine Sample: If you have to urinate after the assault then try and collect a sample - analysis of the sample may help the police identify the drug that was used against you.
- Sample of Vomit: There is also the potential for detecting drugs within vomit. Certain drugs may cause you to vomit; if this is the case, then please attempt to preserve a sample.
- Hair Sample: It could be useful for you to preserve a small sample of your hair collected from close to the scalp. This sample should be safely preserved and taken to the police station. In certain cases the sample of hair can be used to identify the drug used against you.
- Clothing and/or Bedding: Keep the articles of clothing that you were wearing at the time of the attack - these can be analysed by the police for evidence. If the attack took place in your home, then artefacts such as bedding can also be analysed to ascertain evidence. Do not wash the clothing or bedding before taking them to the police.
- Bathing or Showering: A specially qualified doctor may be required to carry out a physical investigation. After the attack, please try to refrain from taking a bath or shower until after a medical examination has taken place. Special examination suites will be used, fitted with a comfortable room to rest in, a medical examination room and a bathroom where you can take a shower after the examination. Toiletries are provided and the police will give you a change of clothing whenever possible.
- Coping: Do not try to cope alone - there are trained counsellors who can help you to come to terms with what has happened to you, and trained investigators who will do everything in their power to catch your attacker.
By being aware of the points outlined above, you can help catch your attacker.
If you have not been able to come forward soon after the attack or collected samples, then the police will still want to hear from you. There are other investigative methods that they can use in order to catch your attacker.
