The
"Date Rape Drugs"
"Date rape drugs" are used to facilitate sexual assault
but the name "date
rape drugs" can be misleading. Most of the time when these
drugs are used,
they're not used on a date. Instead, they are often used at parties,
raves,
clubs and bars by people who are only casual acquaintances. A more
accurate
way of describing these narcotics is "rape drugs" or "drugs
used to
facilitate sexual assault".
Rape
drugs are sometimes odorless and colorless and can easily be slipped
into a drink. These drugs can cause blackouts, headaches, temporary
or long
term amnesia, or death. Two of the most common rape drugs are Rohypnol
(Flunitrazepan) and GHB(Gamma-Hydroxybutyerate). For more information
on
these drugs click here. Although rape drugs receive a lot of media
attention, most rapes do not involve the use of "date rape
drugs". The most
common rape drug is alcohol.
Alcohol's Role in Acquaintance Rape.
Research indicates that over three-fourths of rapes on college campuses
involve alcohol use by the victim, the perpetrator or both . Using
alcohol increases your risk of being sexually assaulted. The research
suggests that alcohol increases miscommunication about sex. The
research also indicates that some men believe that women who drink
are more likely to be sexually available than those who do not.
Alcohol causes poor sending and receiving of friendly and sexual
cues. Alcohol also decreases a victim's ability to resist rape.
No one deserves to be raped, even if the victim has been drinking.
In Arizona, a person cannot legally give consent to have sex if
they are drunk.
Click
here for more information on alcohols role in acquaintance rape.
According
to the National Bureau of Justice Statistics, only 54% of rapes
are reported nationally. Rape is the most underreported violent
crime in America.
According
the research these are some of the reasons that survivors do not
report the crime.
 |
Survivors
feel that it is a personal and private matter. |
|
Survivors
fear of reprisal from the assailant. |
|
Survivors
are told that the rape was their fault. |
|
Survivors
are told that what they experienced wasn't rape. |
|
Survivors
feel that no one will believe them. |
|
Survivors
feel that they did something to cause the rape. |
|
Survivors
will not report the crime because there are no visible signs
of abuse. |
|
Survivors
might feel embarrassed or shamed. |
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It
is important to believe survivors. Blame needs to fall on the perpetrator
and not on the survivor.
Rape
is not sex!
Sex
includes activities that both people want to do. The activities
are consensual. Rape is violence using sex as a weapon. We live
in a society were people hold rape accepting attitudes. Rape accepting
attitudes are beliefs that victims want or deserve to be raped.
Rape accepting attitudes discourage victims of sexual violence from
reporting the crime or seeking help. We must be able to recognize
rape myths and challenge them.
A
Look at the Rape Myths
Myth:
Most rapes are committed by weirdos and strangers.
Fact: Most people are raped by someone they know and trust.
Rapists are usually people who look and act the same as everybody
else.
Myth:
When a man gets turned on he has to have sex.
Fact: Men do NOT physically need to have sex after becoming
aroused. In fact, rape is not about the need to have sex-it's about
the need to hurt, control, and over power another person. A man
can control his behavior and stop at any time.
Myth:
Men cannot be raped.
Fact: It is very difficult for a man to say that he has been
raped. Most people do not believe that a man can be raped because
of his physical strength. However, statistics reflect that men experience
sexual violence at an alarming rate. 1 out 6 men and boys over the
age of 12 are victims of attempted or completed sexual abuse or
sexual assault.
Myth:
Women who dress sexy are more likely to be raped.
Fact: The way you dress has nothing to do with being raped.
Rape is not about sexual attraction it is about power and control.
Women who dress in baggy clothes that cover their bodies are just
as likely to be raped. Rape is a crime of opportunity NOT desire.
Myth:
It is common for women to "cry rape" to get back at someone.
Fact: Nationally false reports of rape account for less than
3% of all reported rapes. This false report rape is inconsistent
with all other violent crimes. Most rapes are not reported. 54%
of rapes are reported nationally.
Myth:
If the victim doesn't fight back, it isn't rape.
Fact: Most acquaintance rape victims do not have any physical
signs of abuse. Sometimes it isn't safe for the victim to fight
back. Only the victim knows what to do during the assault. However,
most people who fight back get away with fewer injuries.
Myth:
The majority of rape victims are sexually promiscuous women.
Fact: 1 out of 5 women are victims of completed or attempted
sexual assault. Every one of us knows someone who is a survivor
of sexual violence. The person you least expect can be a survivor
of sexual violence. Rape has nothing to do with sex. Rape is violence
using sex as a weapon.
Myth:
All men are rapists.
Fact: It is true that most rapes are committed by men. However,
the vast majority of men are NOT rapists. All men play an important
role in ending violence against women and children.
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Some
Strategies for Reducing Your Risk
There are steps you can take to reduce the risk of being the victim
of an acquaintance rape. However, you can never totally eliminate
risks. The only person who can prevent rape is the rapist.
Some
Tips
|
Go
out in groups. Take care of your friends. |
|
Watch
your drink. It only takes a couple of seconds for someone to
slip something into it. |
|
Set
your sexual limits and communicate them not just with your words
but also with your tone and your body language. |
|
Meet
your date in a public space. |
|
Don't
drink or use drugs when you are out on a date or at a party.
If you do choose to do those things, make sure you are with
a sober friend. |
|
Trust
your instincts! Listen to your gut feeling. |
|
Take
"no" for an answer. When someone says no, she or he
is not rejecting you. She or he is expressing desire not to
participate in that single act, |
|
Don't
think you have automatic permission for sex with someone just
because you've had sex with them before. |
|
Don't
assume that someone wants sex because she/he is dressed in a
sexy manner, flirts, and even kisses you. |
|
Remember,
it is OK to make out and not want to go all the way. |
|
If
you are at a party don't go to isolated rooms alone with someone
you don't know very well. |
|
When
you go out, take your cell phone and extra cash in case you
need it. |
|
Since
sexual assault disproportionately impacts women as victims,
be willing to speak up when others make derogatory remarks to
or about women or act inappropriately; let others know their
remarks or actions are not appropriate. |
The
Center Against Sexual Assault encourages reporting sexual assault
to the police for investigation and possible prosecution, as well
as obtaining medical care for injury and prevention of disease and
pregnancy. Whether you report a crime or not will be left up to
you. We will provide you with information about your options and
will support you through whatever process you choose.
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IMPACT...
The emotional impact of acquaintance rape can be severe. Some effects
include feeling responsible for the assault, a sense of betrayal
by someone liked and trusted, a fear of reprisal by parents or the
offender, a fear that friends won't believe what happened, as well
as numerous changes in personality and behavior. Acquaintance rape
is not "just sex"; it is frightening, painful, and emotionally
destructive.
IF YOU THINK YOU'VE EXPERIENCE ACQUAINTANCE RAPE CLIK HERE HELP
IS AVAILABLE.
MORE INFORMATION
Some people interpret friendliness as a sign of sexual invitation,
kissing as a sign that more sexual attention would be welcome, or
a partner's uncertainty about further sexual activity as "teasing."
When
confronted by someone who won't take NO for an answer, some people
become confused and frightened; they don't think rape can happen
to them. The acquaintance rapist's tactic is to make his or her
"target" feel safe and comfortable so he or she can take
advantage of the situation.
Sexually
violent people don't see their behavior as unacceptable. They think
of themselves as out to "score" or "get laid."
They often feel that the use of force is justified and don't respect
or even consider their target's rights and wishes. Some men, and
it is important to note that they are a relatively small number
of the total male population, believe sexual experimentation is
a sign of "masculinity," that they are "owed"
sex in return for a date, that if their target was sexually active
in his or her past she or he will want to have sex with them. They
also believe in the myths which claim that a person "asks for"
or "wants" sex because of the way she or he dresses. Because
of these victim blaming attitudes, sexually violent people don't
feel guilty, remorseful, or responsible for using force to have
sex with an acquaintance.
The Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault recognizes the
responsibility and contributions of men to end sexual violence
1
(Abbey , A., L. Thomson Ross, D. McDuggie, and P. McAuslan (1996).
"Alcohol and Dating Risk Factors for Sexual Assault Among College
Women." Psychology of Women Quarterly 20:147-169).
2
Sampon, Rana ( 2002). Acquaintance Rape of College Students. U.S.
Department of Justice: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services:
No. 17.
