Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault

What is drug-facilitated sexual assault?

Typically, a victim is given an anesthia-type drug which leaves them physically incapacitated or helpless,and unable to give or withhold consent. Victims may be unconscious during all or part of the sexual assault and when conscious, may experience anterograde amnesia, or the inability to remember events that occurred while under the influence of the drug.

How common is drug-facilitated sexual assault?

There are no definite estimates as to the number that occur each year, but it appears to be increasing. Many of these sexual assaults are not reported. Victims are relunctant to report because of embarrassment, guilt, or perceived responsibility, or because they lack specific recall of the event. Another problem is that most of the drugs are rapidly absorbed and metabolized by the body, rendering them undetectable in routine urine and blood screening tests.

What are the most common types of drugs used?

The most common "date rape" drug is alcohol. It is readily available, lessens the ability to think clearly, make good judgments and to defend ones self.

The three other drugs of choice are Rohypnol, GHB, and Ketamine.

Rohypnol or Flunitrazepam

• Street names include roachies, roofies, the forget me pill
• Beneodizepine class of drug
  • Used for sedation or muscle releaxatiion
  • Reduces seizures and anxiety
  • Produces anterograde amnesia
• Not approved for use in the United States or Canada
• Comes in pill form. It is odorless and tasteless
• Dissolves to some degree in liquid
  • Formula was changed so that it turns a blue/green color when dissolved in liquid

GHB or Gamma-hydroxybutyrate

• Street names included liquid esctasy, salty water, G (most common)
• A powerful central nervous system depressant that the human body produces in small amounts
  • 10 times more powerful than valium
• Schedule I drug, banned in the United States
• Comes in either a white powder or clear liquid with a salty taste

Ketamine

• Street names include Special K, Vitamin K, Cat valium, Green K
• Most commonly used as an animal anesthetic, but there are human uses
  • It is an dissaciative anesthetic which separates perception from sensation. Other drugs iin this class are PCP, DXM and nitrous oxide, or laughing gas
• Comes in either powder or liquid form

What are the physical side effects?

Generally:

• Disproportinate level of intoxication in relation to the amount of alcohol consumed
• Drowsiness, sedation, muscle relaxation or weakness, dizziness and reduced heart rate
• Impaired coordination and blurred vision
• Confusion, impaired judgment
• Impaired ability to remember things
• Complete or partial amnesia
• Some may experience excitability or aggresive behavior, seizures, severe respritory depression or coma

How can I reduce the risk?

• Don't leave beverages unattended
• Don't accept beverages, inculding alcohol, from someone else
• Accept drinks only from the bartender or server
• At parties, don't accept open containers; insist on opening them yourself
• Be alert to the behavior of your friends and ask them to watch for you. Extreme intoxication after small consumption of alcohol is a danger signal!
• Don't drink from punch bowls
• Don't share or exchange drinks with anyone
• If you realize your drink has been left unattended, discard it
• If you need to leave for any reason, plan to finish your drink first. If not, order a fresh drink when you return
• Don't drink anything that has an unusual appearance - salty tasting, excessive foam, unexplained residue
• Trust your instincts. If a situation feels unsafe, it probably is. Tell a trusted friend and get to a safe place immedietly

If you are the victim of Sexual Assault 

• Remember that you are the victim. It is not your fault: seek help
• Reporting is your choice. If you decide to report, call 9-1-1 as soon as possible to preserve evidence
• To preseve evidence, do not wash, douche, or change clothes until you have been examined medically. Go to a hospital emergency room for treatment. Via Christi St. Joseph's emergency room has a separate, specifically designed room for victims of sexual assault
• Get support. It is natural to feel anger, confusion and depression after a sexual assault
• Whether or not you report to law enforcement, protect your health. Be treated for sexually transmitted diseases within 72 hours

If you suspect Date Rape drugs were used

• Screening for these drugs best if done immediatly
• Seek medical attention for symptoms/side effects

How can I tell if I have been drugged?

• You feel more intoxicated than your normal response to the amount of alcohol you consumed
• 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 happended next is a blank
• You feel as though you have been sexually assaulted but you can't recall any or all of the incident