Protecting yourself against date rape
When people think of rape, they might think of a stranger jumping out of a shadowy place and sexually attacking someone. But it's not only strangers who rape.
In fact, about half of all people who are raped know the person who attacked them. Most friendships, acquaintances and dates never lead to violence, of course. But, sadly, sometimes it happens.
When forced sex occurs between two people who already know each other, it is known as date rape or acquaintance rape. Even if the two people know each other well, and even if they were intimate or had sex before, no one has the right to force a sexual act on another person against his or her will.
Girls and women are most often raped, but guys can also be targeted, with seven to 10 per cent of rape victims being male. Most people don't realize that males can and are sexually assaulted and chances are most of us don't ever hear about the topic of male sexual assault. There's a mistaken belief that guys are immune to being victimized, that they should be able to fight off any attacker if they are truly a "real man." A closely related belief is that guys can't be forced into sex, either they want it or they don't. These beliefs can increase the pain that is felt by a male who is sexually assaulted. The male survivor may feel isolated, ashamed, and “less of a man.” Few guys actually report or get help after being sexually assaulted.
You may hear some people say that those who have been raped were somehow ”asking for it” because of the clothes they wore or the way they acted. That's wrong: The person who is raped is not to blame. Rape is always the fault of the rapist. That's also the case when two people are dating, or even in an intimate relationship. One person never owes the other person sex. If sex is forced against someone's will in any circumstace, that's rape.
Alcohol is often involved in date rapes. Drinking can loosen inhibitions, dull common sense, and for some people allow aggressive tendencies to surface. Drugs may also play a role. The following are what are called “date rape drugs” and can easily be mixed in drinks to make a person black out and forget things that happen. Both girls and guys who have been given these drugs report feeling paralyzed, having blurred vision and lack of memory.
- GHB (also known as liquid E) at high doses, GHB can cause extreme fatigue and unconsciousness. GHB can taste slightly salty, so if your drink tastes funny to you, throw it away.
- Ketamine (Special K, K, etc) comes in a white powder and a liquid that can be snorted, injected or swallowed. It produces a numbness and paralysis, and can also (depending on dose) make you feel like you're out of your own body. High doses can lead to unconsciousness and can leave the user open to assault.
- Rohypnol (aka “roofies” or “ropes”) has the power to render someone unconscious, cause memory loss, muscle relaxation and weakness. Effects can occur within a half-hour and last many hours. Some victims who have been sexually assaulted after being given Rohypnol have woken up in completely different locations from where they remember being hours before, with no memory of what happened.
In fact, about half of all people who are raped know the person who attacked them. Most friendships, acquaintances and dates never lead to violence, of course. But, sadly, sometimes it happens.
When forced sex occurs between two people who already know each other, it is known as date rape or acquaintance rape. Even if the two people know each other well, and even if they were intimate or had sex before, no one has the right to force a sexual act on another person against his or her will.
Girls and women are most often raped, but guys can also be targeted, with seven to 10 per cent of rape victims being male. Most people don't realize that males can and are sexually assaulted and chances are most of us don't ever hear about the topic of male sexual assault. There's a mistaken belief that guys are immune to being victimized, that they should be able to fight off any attacker if they are truly a "real man." A closely related belief is that guys can't be forced into sex, either they want it or they don't. These beliefs can increase the pain that is felt by a male who is sexually assaulted. The male survivor may feel isolated, ashamed, and “less of a man.” Few guys actually report or get help after being sexually assaulted.
You may hear some people say that those who have been raped were somehow ”asking for it” because of the clothes they wore or the way they acted. That's wrong: The person who is raped is not to blame. Rape is always the fault of the rapist. That's also the case when two people are dating, or even in an intimate relationship. One person never owes the other person sex. If sex is forced against someone's will in any circumstace, that's rape.
Alcohol is often involved in date rapes. Drinking can loosen inhibitions, dull common sense, and for some people allow aggressive tendencies to surface. Drugs may also play a role. The following are what are called “date rape drugs” and can easily be mixed in drinks to make a person black out and forget things that happen. Both girls and guys who have been given these drugs report feeling paralyzed, having blurred vision and lack of memory.
- GHB (also known as liquid E) at high doses, GHB can cause extreme fatigue and unconsciousness. GHB can taste slightly salty, so if your drink tastes funny to you, throw it away.
- Ketamine (Special K, K, etc) comes in a white powder and a liquid that can be snorted, injected or swallowed. It produces a numbness and paralysis, and can also (depending on dose) make you feel like you're out of your own body. High doses can lead to unconsciousness and can leave the user open to assault.
- Rohypnol (aka “roofies” or “ropes”) has the power to render someone unconscious, cause memory loss, muscle relaxation and weakness. Effects can occur within a half-hour and last many hours. Some victims who have been sexually assaulted after being given Rohypnol have woken up in completely different locations from where they remember being hours before, with no memory of what happened.
