Now there is a now a more sinister, cowardly technique for the psychopathic predator who instigates sexual assault. He uses drugs to gain power over the consciousness of his victims and many of these women never come forward. Often, it is someone they know who has assaulted them. The National Crime Victim Survey says that 92% of all assailants know their victims.This makes it much harder because the victim often feels responsible.
Coping with sexual assault and drugging is an unimaginable and harrowing experience. No situation is ever the same. Many people attribute loss of memory to too much alcohol and blame the victims. Others may think it is not so bad because the victims knew their assailants, or it wasn’t violent, there were no guns or knives. Poisoning the mind and robbing the memory is an inexcusable crime. Without memory, one cannot mentally process such tragedy and because the victim may know the assailant, they lose trust in others. The National Crime Survey shows that victims of date rape are eleven times more likely to become clinically depressed, but worse, these drugs can be fatal, especially when mixed with alcohol or other drugs.
It is time for colleges and universities to educate the students and staff so they are aware of the signs and symptoms of those who may have been drugged. Victims need the validation so they will more easily come forward and get the help they need.
Unfortunately, these drugs are easily obtainable on the Internet and on the streets. Below are a few of the more popular date rape drugs and their effects.
GHB – is a central‐nervous system sedative. Its effects can be noted within 15 minutes after ingestion. It can produce drowsiness, dizziness, unconsciousness, respiratory depression and sometimes coma.
Rohypnol, ‘roofies’ – is a powerful sedative. It leaves a victim feeling intoxicated with slurred speech, unsteady gait and impaired judgment. The effects can often be experienced within 10 minutes and can last for hours.
Ketamine or ‘Special K’, is a disassociate anesthetic agent used in veterinary clinics, which can cause a sense of “separation” from one’s body, hallucinations and temporary paralysis.
Ecstasy – can produce confusion, anxiety, increased heart rate, blurred vision and fainting.