Imagine that you're at a party, club, or social event. You're with people you know, some you don't, but no one that you fear. What if a person slips something into your drink without you noticing? When the drug dissolves, it is colorless and odorless. It may also be tasteless. Or what if you are taking antibiotics or ingest a drug that interacts with alcohol. As you become drugged you are in a weakened, helpless, or unconscious state. You're so incapacitated that you can't escape or resist a rapist, or even call out for help. "No!" You're sexually assaulted. When you wake up, you’re not sure or can't remember what happened or who participated. The drug has affected your memory. The only thing you do know is that you feel hung over and can’t shake the horrible sensation that "something" happened. By the time you begin to remember, if you ever remember, the drug is quickly leaving your system. The evidence is gone, leaving your body violated and your mind robbed.
Substance Facilitated Sexual Assault is a harsh reality.
And it happens far too frequently.
Sedating substances leave anyone vulnerable to sexual assault. The use of drugs and other substances by rapists to sedate their victims is a centuries-old practice. Several medications in particular have received recent media attention regarding sexual assault, these are just a few:
| Drug | Use | Symtoms | Common Names | Specifics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
GHB |
Central nervous system depressant manufactured illegally in the US. Originally a preoperative anesthetic and sleep aid. | Loss of motor control, nausea, delusions, impaired judgment, impaired memories, desires and libidos raised, loss of consciousness, seizures, coma, death. | Liquid ecstasy, Liquid X, Ellie, Clear X, X-rater, XTC, Chemical X, Liquid Dream, Scoop, Scoop Her, Get-Her-to-Bed, Grievous Bodily Harm, Soap, Fantasy, and Easy Lay | White powder or colorless, liquid. Powerful synthetic drug that acts as a depressant on the central nervous system and can be felt within 10-15 minutes of ingestion. Duration of effect depends on strength, it can range between 2 and 8 hrs. Drug disappears from the bloodstream within 8-10 hours. |
|
Rohypnol Flunitrazepam |
Prescription medication for severe sleep disorders. Available outside the US. Manufactured by Hoffman-La Roche, Inc. |
Muscle relaxation, disinhibition, depression of the Central Nervous System, nausea, blackouts, amnesia, excitability and aggressive behavior, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, stomach disturbances, agitation, seizures, coma, death. | Roofies, Ruffies, Roachies, Rope, Roopies, Rophy, Ruffles, Rib, R2, R2-Do-You, Circles, Forget It, Roach, Rape, La Rocha, Mind-Erasers, Mexican Valium, and the Forget Pill | White or dark blue, odorless, dime-sized tablet that easily dissolves in beverages. One dose is ten times stronger than Valium. Repeated use of the drug can cause dependency. It begins to take effect within 20-30 minutes of ingestion and usually lasts 8-12 hours. Drug disappears from blood stream within 24 hours and from urine samples within 48 hours. |
| Hydrochloride | veterinary medicine. | amnesia, death. | Vitamin K, K, Bump |
Other ways that victims can be incapacitated are through amphetamines, barbiturates, other benzodiazepines, cocaine, marijuana, opiates, and alcohol. These drugs may cause drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, impaired motor skills, dizziness, lack of inhibition, impaired judgment, and reduced levels of consciousness. Sedatives combined with alcohol or other drugs may result in extremely low blood pressure, respiratory depression, difficulty breathing, coma, or even death.