Vicky was nineteen when she came up pregnant—she had no physical signals of rape, she woke up in her own bed and therefore had no reason to be concerned. She assumed she had too much to drink, although she doesn’t remember the previous night’s events. Vicky thought a friend must have helped get her safely home. She was shocked to discover two months later that she was pregnant. “I hadn’t had sex for over a year. I bought three pregnancy tests before going to a clinic for a blood test.” She chose to keep and raise her child with the help of her family. In her own words “having the baby brought peace and healing to my life.”
Alcohol and Rohypnol combination is intensified and very hazardous together. If a woman is drinking alcohol when the drug is slipped into her drink, the combination can impair her memory and judgment greatly. Woman who become intoxicated on a combination of alcohol and Rohypnol often experience blackouts lasting eight to twenty-four hours following ingestion—which can make her unable to resist a sexual attack. If combined with other drugs the results may lead to respiratory depression, aspiration, coma and even death. Possession of Rohypnol is punishable for up to three years in prison and a fine. Distribution and administration of this rape drug without the person’s knowledge is punishable by twenty years in prison and a fine.
By taking the preventive measures to protect yourself and your friends; you can avoid becoming a potential victim. Print this article out and give it to friends you now … it may save a life!
Besides the worries of unprotected sex, sexually transmitted diseases are a high risk—your best defense against rapists and date rape drugs is awareness.
Here are a few helpful tips for staying aware, alert, and safe:
- Be careful about accepting drinks from anyone you don’t know or have known long enough to trust. The best choice is not to let anyone fix you a drink. Always mix the drink yourself and carry your own drink.
- Don’t share or exchange drinks with anyone.
- If you are accepting a drink, make sure it’s from an unopened container and that you open it yourself.
- Do not drink from open containers at parties and accept drinks only from bartenders or servers, watch them open the can or pour—don’t be distracted by conversation.
- If dancing, don’t leave your drink unattended. If you realize your drink has been left unattended, toss it out.
- Consider buying a specially designed drug testing coaster—see below to test your drink for the drug. They are low-cost and a smart choice.
- Remember any kind of beverage can be drugged—there is no taste or smell.
- If possible bring your own drinks to parties. Don’t drink from a container that is being passed around
- If your drink tastes or looks differently than it should or tastes funny or salty, foamy, cloudy, or if it has residue in it throw it away!
- Don’t go to parties alone; travel in a group of people and stick together at a party. Look out not only for yourself, but keep an eye on your female friends.
- A really good idea is to not let your friends get too drunk or wasted. If they do party intensely, take them home, staying with them to make sure they are all right before leaving.
- Don’t let your friend disappear and don’t let them wander off with a member of the opposite sex, stay by their side. Don’t leave with someone you do not know well or have just met.
- Don’t put your drink down and leave it unattended, even to go to the restroom. Monitor your drink constantly.
- Refuse to drink from a punchbowl; this is a place where anything can be dropped in.
- Stay sober. Don’t use drugs or alcohol; you need to have a clear head at all times.
- Assign a designated sober person when going out.
- Notify other female friends you know about the effects of this dangerous drug.
- Be observant to the behaviors and actions of your friends, trust your instincts.
- Listen for the street names of the drugs mentioned above.
- Keep a cell phone with you and charged up in the event you have a problem and need help.
Remember You Did Not Deserve What Happened To You and the Assault Was Not Your Fault!
If you think that you have been a victim, notify the authorities immediately if you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can file a police report. Get immediate medical attention. Call 911 or go to an emergency room. Request that a urine sample be taken to screen for the presence of date rape drugs. Preserve as much physical evidence as possible. Don’t urinate, shower, bathe, douche, or throw away the clothing you were wearing during the assault. If possible, save any other materials that might provide evidence, such as the glass or can that held your drink. Call a crisis rape center for information and support. All women are potential victims of sexual assault: regardless of there age, race, sexual preference, occupation, or education. A woman can be assaulted by a stranger, by a friend, by an acquaintance, co-worker, or relative.
Q: How will I feel after an assault?
A: There is no “correct” way to feel after an assault. Be aware that different people need to heal in their own ways. Some women may need to talk about the assault a number of times to heal. Some need to work through their difficult experience—sometimes by reliving the violation. Seeking a Professional Counselor educated with date rape can make a big difference in recovery.
Some women find their faith in God may be strained, but find strength in keeping their faith and attending church or synagogue helpful. Other women find the answer by being involved in activities to help forget, then when they are better able to handle the facts and face them head on they can find peace to work through the pain.
Finding a qualified rape counselor or participating in a closed group counseling with other women, who understand what you are going through can be healing in itself. Many women who have been victims of the date rape drug have some or all of the following reactions:
- Anger and frustration
- Disbelief and denial
- Guilt/self blame
- Helplessness/confused
- Avoidance of friends
- Feeling paranoid
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Change in sleep patterns
- Sexual disinterest or change in sexual behavior
- Can’t stop crying or can’t cry
- Inability to cope with ordinary situations
- Problems with trust
- Depression
- Frenzied—involved in work
- Low self-esteem
- Reoccurring nightmares
- Changed alcohol or drug use
- Wanting to forget, escape or never get out of bed
- Eating everything or nothing at all
As you work through the healing process, keep these suggestions in mind:
- It is not your fault—you are not responsible for the unwanted sex.
- You are not the guilty party.
- Some people may try to make you feel responsible for what happened because of their own feelings of vulnerability or guilt.
- That you may have been intoxicated does not give anyone the right to assault you—nothing gives anyone that right.
- Acquaintance rape happens because the rapist fails to respect the victim’s individual will, not because of irresistible arousal.
- A rapist acts without regard for the victim, so saying no or even physically resisting cannot always be enough to prevent the assault.
How to Help a Friend Who Has Been Assaulted …
- Let her make decisions. Offer to make phone calls for information, but don’t take over for her. She has just had control taken away and needs to regain it.
- Don’t touch her without first asking permission. Say, for example, “Would you like a hug?” or “Would you like to hold my hand?” A caring touch can help the victim but unwanted touching can be very uncomfortable or even threatening.
- Don’t blame her. Questions like “Why did you go home with him? What were you thinking of?” These questions will only reinforce her sense of guilt or shame.
- Let her know she is safe, and that you won’t violate her trust.
- Try to deal with your own reactions to the circumstances later. You may feel angry, helpless, confused, or violated yourself. Keep in mind that your friend probably feels all that and more, so seeing your reactions may not help her. Try to focus on her feelings. Later, when her immediate necessities are taken care, is the best time for you to take care of yourself and seek out a counselor. A sexual assault can be distressing for friends, and family members, as well.
After a friend was attacked by a man who may have spiked her drink, Francisco Guerra developed a cardboard drink coaster that can identify two of the most popular date-rape drugs: gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and ketamine. Just place a drop of liquid on the coaster, and rub it in with your finger. If the spot turns blue, toss that cocktail. Fifteen million of these coasters have already been distributed; look for them at 7-Elevens or here for about 40¢ a coaster
For more helpful Resources:
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Phone: (888) NIH-NIDA
American Council for Drug Education
Phone: (800) 488-3784
Support for people conceived through rape and incest
American Society of Addiction Medicine
Phone: (301) 656-3920
Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse
Phone: (401) 444-1817
State Directory for Offices of Victim Services
U.S. Department of Justice
For assistance in accessing local Victim Services: includes a clickable US State Map
(Part 1) | Part 2
