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Drug Facilitated Rape

Picture this: You wake up groggy and disorientated. You may be in a strange place or in your own home. The last thing you remember is being at a party with friends. You think you may have been sexually assaulted. You are panicked because, no matter how hard you try, you can't remember the last several hours, how you got where you are, if you were sexually assaulted, or who assaulted you.

This may seem like something out of a made-for TV movie, but incidents like this have been happening throughout the United States. Situations such as the one described above can be the result of drugs sometimes called "date rape drugs." This name is misleading because the circumstances in which these drugs are used often do NOT involve a dating situation. The drugs are often used by strangers or casual acquaintances, but they may be used by someone you know and trust. They are increasingly used in child sexual assaults. These drugs are generally colorless, have an indistinct odor and taste, and can render you helpless within minutes.

The drugs have dozens of street names and these names change. The various drugs used in drug-facilitated sexual assaults are sometimes smuggled from other countries, stolen from veterinary clinics, purchased over the Internet, or are homemade. The most important thing you need to know is that there are ways to minimize your risk.

Names and features of the most commonly used rape drugs:

Rohypnol generally appears in tablet form. Once dissolved in a drink it is odorless. It may cause a drink to appear cloudy or release small floating bits. These are steps the manufacturer has taken to make the drug more noticeable in a drink. However, you may not notice this in a dark drink or a bottle. Rohypnol is known on the street as Roofies, Roche, R-Z, Rope, Stupify, Shays and R-2.

GHB is a clear liquid, slightly thicker than water. It generally has a mild, indistinct odor and a slightly salty taste. It also appears in powder or capsule form. GHB is known as Grievous Bodily Harm, Liquid Ecstasy, Liquid E, Liquid X, Easy Lay, Scoop, and Great Hormones at Bedtime.

Ketamine is a veterinary medicine produced in liquid and powder form. It is known on the street as Special K.

"Date Rape Drugs" are sold in many forms and are often used as recreational drugs. They are being used in an increasing number of sexual assaults across the country and around the world. They can be in liquid, powder, or pill form and hidden in small containers like eye drop bottles and breath mint containers.

Just a few drops slipped into a drink can result in memory loss, vision problems, dizziness, confusion, unconsciousness, or death.

Alcohol can intensify the symptoms of these drugs. Their effects can last anywhere from 8 to 24 hours.

REMEMBER- Alcohol is the most commonly used rape drug of all.

• don't drink anything that has an unusual taste or appearance
• never leave your drink unattended (even while you're dancing or in the bathroom)
• watch the bartender pour your drink and carry it yourself
• don't drink from containers passed around, or from punch bowls
• bring your own drinks to parties and open them yourself. Don't share or exchange drinks with anyone
• alcohol, cigarettes and chewing gum can also be used to drug you!

• you feel more intoxicated than your normal response to the amount of alcohol you consumed
• you wake up feeling extremely hung-over and can't account for a period of time
• one of the last things you remember is taking a drink, but what happened after that is blank
• you feel as though you've been sexually assaulted but you can't recall any or all of the incident

• get to a safe place
• ask someone you trust to stay with you and assist you in getting help
• get a sample of the beverage if you can
• call 911 to report the incident to police, even if you aren't sure what happened
• go to a hospital emergency room as soon as possible. Unless you are a minor, the hospital staff won't report the sexual assault to the police without your consent
• request that the hospital take a urine sample for drug toxicology testing
• contact your local crisis center for information on your options and support

Drug facilitated rapes are often unreported. Victims of this type of assault may blame themselves because of where they were, whom they were with, or how much they had to drink. You may feel responsible for the assault because you lost control. You may feel embarrassed that you know you were raped, but do not know who raped you.

If you think you may have been a victim of rape, IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT.

No one has the right to force you to engage in sexual contact against your will. If they do, it is a crime for which they are solely responsible.