Tips to Prevent Sexual Assault When Drinking

Drugs such as ketamine, GHB, Rohypnol, benzodiazepines, and even alcohol make sexual assault easier by accomplishing the following:

• The individual becomes more compliant and less able to say no.
• The person is weakened, so they cannot resist and fight back.
• The individual becomes wholly or partially unconscious.
• Inhibitions are weakened, and the person would likely consent to sexual activity that they would typically decline.

Many of these drugs are known as date rape drugs. However, any substance that changes a person’s state of mind could be used for this purpose. Research supported by the National Institute of Justice indicates that alcohol is by far the most common substance involved in drug-facilitated sexual assault, present in roughly half of campus sexual assault cases involving a perpetrator, victim, or both. Alcohol lowers a person’s inhibitions making them less aware of their surroundings.

There are steps that individuals can take to avoid being a victim of a drug-facilitated sexual assault. In addition, preventing date rape also takes a group effort with friends, family members, or acquaintances watching out for one another.

• Keep the drink in your hand at all times.
• If at all possible, drink from a bottle rather than a glass and hold your thumb over the opening.
• Do not leave the drink unattended at any time.

Drinks do not have to be alcoholic to be spiked, but it is the most common.

• Be aware of the surroundings and keep an eye on a friend’s drink.
• Do not share drinks or consume leftover drinks.
• Avoid situations that make you feel uncomfortable.
• Never accept a drink from someone you do not know or trust.
• When going on a first date, tell a friend or relative where you will be.
• Do not give too much information to someone you first meet.
• Go home if you feel confused or inebriated.

Stopping and preventing date rape begins with staying safe and recognizing drugged drink signs and the symptoms of these drugs. There are specific date rape drug symptoms that others can look for, including the person who was drugged.

Moreover, recognizing drugged drinks is challenging as these substances dissolve quickly. Yet, there are some nuances to look for in a drink. The average person whose drink has been spiked will likely act as though they are intoxicated.

Some of the common symptoms of date rape drugs include the following:

• Euphoria and feelings of power and togetherness.
• Detachment, dissociation, and disorientation.
• Audio and visual hallucinations.
• Respiratory depression.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Blacking out and memory gaps.
• Impaired motor controls and cognition.

Specific date rape drugs, such as GHB, Ketamine, and Rohypnol, have similar effects on the victim, but there are some slight differences.

GHB—The drug is a colorless and tasteless liquid. GHB mimics extreme inebriation and causes drowsiness, vertigo, reduced heart rate, nausea, memory gaps, and blacking out. The individual wakes up with little to no memory of what happened.

Ketamine—The drug is generally found as a crystal or a powder that is dissolved in a drink. Ketamine causes hallucinations, aggression, agitation, shaking, tremors, loss of coordination, difficulty breathing, and passing out. Large doses of ketamine cause temporary paralysis.

Rohypnol—The drug is an intermediate-acting sedative that belongs to the drug class benzodiazepines. Rohypnol is generally found in pill form but can also be used as a powder. The drug causes dizziness, lethargy, loss of muscle control, visual hallucinations, memory lapse, and nausea. The victim will likely black out and have little or no memory of what happened.

There are some drugged drink signs to look for, and this includes some of the following:

• The color of the drink may have changed. The change in the color of a drink is a strong indicator. Some of the drugs turn a drink darker or lighter than it was before. Rohypnol, for example, has been known to turn drinks blue.
• The drink looks cloudy or murky and does not clear up. This is a strong indicator that a drink has been spiked.
• The drink produces excessive bubbles beyond what a carbonated beverage should make. This is difficult to notice because of carbonation; however, if there is excessive fizzing in the drink, it may have been spiked.
• The drink tastes funny. For example, this would likely be a bitter or salty taste in the drink.

When someone’s drink has been spiked, they will generally lose consciousness quickly, so it is critical not to waste time trying to find the person who drugged the drink. However, the first step should always be to call for emergency help and get them to a safe place.

It is also vital to seek emergency medical care, as most drugs used for sexual assault leave the body within 12 to 72 hours. When the person is brought to an emergency room, the doctor, nurse, or dispatcher should be informed of possible drugging.

In contrast, anyone who wakes up showing signs of being drugged should also seek emergency medical care immediately.

If there are signs of rape or sexual assault, the individual should avoid showering or bathing to preserve evidence. A hospital uses a rape kit to test for signs of sexual assault. In addition, a crisis center should be arranged to help the individual.

Finally, it is essential to report what occurred to local authorities. Police may have received similar reports, so the more information they have, the better chance of catching the responsible individual.