Rape Drugs

Alcohol and other drugs are often used as weapons by perpetrators to facilitate sexual assault. Alcohol does not cause sexual violence nor does it give an offender an excuse to commit a sex crime. Sexual predators may deliberately facilitate someone’s drinking in order to increase their vulnerability.

It is difficult to estimate the number of sexual assaults related to rape drugs; what we do have are frightening individual stories from victims. But from the victims that have received proper drug testing, we have learned that it is misleading to point to only a few drugs relating to drug-facilitated sexual assault. Alcohol, marijuana and other substances are far more likely to be involved than GHB and Rohypnol.

Page Contents

Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault | Risk Reduction Techniques | Resources

Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault

What is it?

Sexual assault facilitated by the use of an anesthesia-type drug
Renders victim physically incapacitated or helpless
Incapable of giving or not giving consent

Effect on the Victim

Sensations of drunkenness that do not match with the amount of alcohol consumed
Victim may be unconscious during all or parts of sexual assault
Experience amnesia of the events after drug was ingested
May have an awareness or sense that they were violated

Does it really happen?

Number of such assaults appear to be increasing
Many are not reported, victims are reluctant to report because of embarrassment, perceived responsibility and lacking specific recall of the assault

GHB – a commonly used date rape drug

GHB = gamma-hydroxybutyrate
Street names: Grievous Bodily Harm, Georgia Home Boy, Liquid E, Gamma-O, Salty Water
In US, trade name Xyrem, used for narcolepsy

Characteristics of illegally produced GHB:

Clear to light tan color liquid
Slightly thicker than water
Salty or chemical taste (mixing with a drink masks it)
Powerful sedative properties

Effects of GHB – What to look for:

Onset of effects occur within 15 to 30 minutes of ingestion
Lasts for 3 to 6 hours
Effects of GHB depend on dose, victim’s weight, health, and hydration
Not detected in routine blood or urine screens
Need specific GHB screen as soon after assault as possible
Can remain in urine for 8-12 hours, remains in blood for 4-8 hours
Effects of Rohypnol (roofies) and Ketamine (K, Special K) are similar.

Source:
National Drug Intelligence Center “Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault Resource Guide”

If you or someone you know was drugged, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Get Help Now

Risk Reduction Techniques

Don’t leave your drink unattended at the table or bar when you are dancing, talking with friends, or in the bathroom, etc.
If you do leave your drink, throw it away and get a fresh drink.
Only drink from un-opened bottles or cans, or drinks that you’ve seen poured. Don’t accept open-container drinks from anyone.
Avoid “group” drinks. Punch bowls, or containers that are passed around are the easiest to drug.
If you notice something is wrong with your drink – there seems to be some powder on the glass, or it has a funny taste, throw it away immediately.
If you suddenly feel really tired or really drunk and you don’t know why because you haven’t had that much to drink, you may be feeling the effects of a drug.
Tell someone you trust immediately if you suspect you are feeling the effects of a drug. The key is to get to a safe place. Tell someone what you think has happened to you, and tell them that you need their help or medical attention.
Go to a hospital emergency room immediately. Try to retain a sample of the beverage for testing.
Use the buddy system. Be alert to the behavior of your friends and ask them to watch out for you. Come with friends and leave with friends.
Be aware that anyone acting extremely intoxicated after consuming only a small amount of alcohol may be in danger. Get them to a safe place immediately.

Remember that whether you follow these tips or not, if you are sexually assaulted, it is not your fault. A victim is never to blame for an assault.

Sources:
Bacchus & Gamma “Predatory Drugs”
DC Rape Crisis Center “Substance Related Sexual Assault”