These figures are set to rise dramatically unless more care is taken while drinking.
What to Spot!
Rapists will be on the prowl this Christmas, so take extra care while downing those drinks.
The most popular drug used by rapists is Rohypnol.
Rohypnol (or flunitrazepam) is a prescription only tranquilliser which, when mixed with alcohol, sheds ones inhibitions, creates a trance-like feeling and induces short term amnesia.
However, Rohypnol is a legitimate drug used in the treatment of sleep disorders, producing sedative-hypnotic effects including muscle relaxation and weakness.
When put into a drink, Rohypnol dissolves straight away. It is colourless, odourless
and tasteless. Supply without authority is illegal and Class C penalties apply
(maximum 5 years imprisonment and /or fine).
Unless you spot the drug in the drink, you will not know you have been spiked until it
is too late. Amnesia can set in within around 10 minutes, and the dis-inhibiting effects
of the drug arrive soon after.
Julie Ekins, a 3rd Year Psychology student at Preston University, had her drink spiked while in a club last year. She was not harmed, but if situations were different, she may have come to serous harm: “I was in Tokyo Joes nightclub on a Wednesday night .I accepted a drink from a guy I thought I recognised from one of my lectures as I had lost my friend. When I had finished the drink I luckily bumped into my friend and we left this guy at the bar. After about 20 minutes I started being really sick and had to go home where I was completely gone, I didn’t know what was happening. It was so lucky that my friend found me as I would have probably been raped.”
Date rape drugs usually stay in the body for 24 hours, and after that are untraceable. It is vital that anyone who is victim to drink spiking or date rape goes straight to the police.
“I went to the police about three days after the incident at the club, they tested my urine but didn’t find anything” Julie said.
What to do if you become a victim:
If you become a victim of date rape and are in the Lancashire area, the Police have trained councillors who are there to help you with your ordeal.
Try to notify the police immediately. The police will need the (unwashed) clothes you were wearing at the time of the attack for forensic tests to take place, and although it sounds unpleasant, the police ask you not to bathe or shower before you go so they can collect all the evidence they need.
If you do not want to tell the police what has happened, you can be seen by an examiner who will store and document any findings while you get over your attack. You can call the SAFE Centre on 01772 523344 and a member of staff will assist you with what to do next.
If you contact the police, they will ensure that you are brought to the SAFE Centre for examination. Even if you think that you do not have any physical injuries, you should still have a medical examination and discuss with the examiner the risk of your exposure to sexually transmitted infections. There are also cases where rape victims become pregnant. The examiner will discuss this with you.
You can talk with a counsellor who is trained to assist rape victims with the emotional and physical impacts of the assault
Andy Bradbury, Press officer for Lancashire Police is based at Preston’s City Centre station, and has a list of things to look out for while out partying this Christmas:
“Be extra careful at Christmas time, make sure you take your drink with you wherever you go, do not accept drinks from people you do not know and trust, use your common sense basically.”
He added: “Also, men should be aware that this type of sexual offence does not just happen to women, it has occurred a reported 3 times to men in the Manchester area, so be extra cautious.”
The risks for date rape are increasing, and the need for extra care is now necessary in an alcohol fuelled environment.
Be Safe this Christmas.
Words: 843
