Drug Facilitated Rape
Drug facilitated rape and sexual assaults are crimes that all college students should be aware of. These crimes involves a criminal using a drug to make a victim more vulnerable to an attack and/or less likely to report the crime due to fragmented memory.
There are over 60 drugs known to have been used in drug facilitated rapes or sexual assault situations. Some of the most common are alcohol, rohypnol, gamma hydroxy butyrate (GHB), and ketamine. A variety of prescription and over the counter drugs have also been used as tools by rapists who have sought to make their victims more susceptible. Many of these drugs can be slipped into a drink, and once dissolved, are odorless, tasteless and colorless.
To help safeguard yourself against drug facilitated rape and sexual assaults, consider the following tips:
- Drink responsibly
- Keep your drink with you at all times
- Never take an opened drink from someone you do not know or trust
- Avoid taking drinks that may have candy or other objects in them
- Only "go out" with people you know and trust
- Watch out for your friends as well as yourself
If you feel that you or someone you know has been the victim of drug facilitated rape or sexual assault please contact the nearest police department, hospital and/or rape crisis center.
Visit the Sexual Assualt Center of Northeast Georgia's website for more information regarding sexual assualt victim services or to find how you might volunteer to help victims.