Rape drugs
In the past few years, there have been increasing reports of sexual assault in which drugs have been used, usually by slipping the drug into a person’s beverage. In Victoria, reports of drug-facilitated sexual assaults have been growing. While alcohol remains by far the most common substance used in sexual assaults, any substance which impairs the ability of a person to adequately respond to a situation or defend themselves could be used in the same way.
Two substances that are commonly used in drug-facilitated sexual assaults are Rohypnol and GHB (gamma hydroxy butyrate).
What are Rohypnol and GHB?
Rohypnol is a benzodiazepine (sedative) that is illegal in Canada. The pills are round, white and slightly smaller than an aspirin. The manufacturer recently reformulated Rohypnol to make it more detectable. When it is put in a light-coloured drink, new Rohypnol will turn the drink bright blue – when it is put in a darker beverage, it will turn cloudy. The drug will dissolve slowly and form small, chunky pieces. Keep in mind it may take a while for this new Rohypnol formula to appear on the streets.
GHB was developed in the 1960s as a surgical anaesthetic and later became popular with athletes as it builds muscle. In the 1990s it was sold in health-food stores as a natural sedative, but due to effects such as comas and seizures, it was soon banned. However, GHB remains popular today as a recreational drug. Given that GHB is extremely inexpensive to purchase and can easily be made at home, it is readily available to many people.
What are the effects of these drugs?
These drugs take effect quickly once they have been slipped into a drink. The drugs will work in water, juice, alcohol, pop or coffee. The effects of GHB are usually felt in about 15 minutes (depending on dosage) and Rohypnol takes effect in 20 – 30 minutes. They work by sedating the person who has been drugged so that they cannot react to or refuse sexual activity.
A person who has been drugged may demonstrate:
- Slurred speech and difficulty walking
- Irritability/ angry outbursts with little provocation (Rohypnol)
- Extremely “intoxicated” behaviour in relation to how much they have had to drink (ex: falling over/ vomiting/ slurring after only one or two drinks)
- Dizziness/ confusion
- Extreme nausea/vomiting, physical weakness
- Disinhibition (suddenly acting very out of control)
- Impaired judgement
- Seizures/ decreased respiration/ heightened sexual awareness/ loss of vision/ hallucinations
- Loss of consciousness/ hard to revive
- If the dosage is high or the drug is mixed with other substances, it can result in a coma or death – as the sedative suppresses the nervous system too much and causes it to shut down
How to protect yourself from rape drugs
- Don’t leave your drink unattended. If you need to go to the bathroom/for a smoke/ to dance – ensure that there is someone you trust who will watch your drink for you. Otherwise, finish your drink before you leave it behind.
- If you are the one watching drinks at the table, don’t get distracted. Your friends are depending on you.
- Don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know or have just met.
- Whenever possible, open your own drink. Bring your own drinks to a party and keep an eye on them.
- Keep an eye on your friends. Are they acting really drunk, after only one or two drinks? Are they vomiting or blacking out? They may have been drugged. If you suspect this may have happened, it is important to get your friend medical attention and make sure s/he gets home safely.
- Be careful of drugs at raves, even if you’ve taken them before. Dosages can vary and a higher concentration may have an adverse effect on you. If you are going to take drugs, make sure to do them around friends you trust – make sure they know what you have taken and what to do if something goes wrong.
- Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. Make sure your friends are aware, as well.
If you are a survivor of a drug-facilitated sexual assault
- Go to a safe place and call a friend, family member, the police, a sexual assault centre or campus security.
- If you want to report the assault to the police, do not wash, douche, brush your teeth, change clothes, go to the washroom, or clean up the area where the assault occurred. This may destroy important evidence. However, if you already have done any— or all— of these things you can still report the assault.
- For accompaniment to the hospital call the Women’s Sexual Assault Centre 24-hour crisis line at 383-3232 and ask to be put in touch with a SART worker (Sexual Assault Response Team).
- There is no time limit on reporting sexual assault, but keep in mind that the sooner a police report is made, the greater the chances of obtaining evidence linking the accused to the crime.
- You are entitled to complete medical care whether or not you decide to report it to the police. You can go to the hospital for a checkup after a sexual assault and you are not obligated to file a police report. A specially trained Nurse Examiner will conduct the exam.
- Request a screening test for the presence of sedatives as quickly as possible. Every hour matters – these drugs may leave your body as quickly as 8-12 hours after they have been ingested.
- Get support. Your emotional, spiritual and physical health is important. Contact AVP or one of our recommended resources.
- Remember: believe in yourself. You did not do anything wrong. No matter how you reacted to the assault, you did the right thing because you survived. No one invites, causes or deserves to be sexually assaulted. You are not to blame.
