Dealing With Date Rape

The issue of date rape is not exactly the most pleasant topic I can think of to write about.  But I consider it to be a required subject, and a very important one at that.  According to statistics taken from the United States Department of Justice:
•          57% of rapes happen while on dates
•          42% of the victims told no one.
•          38% of the women raped are between the ages of 14 to 17
And finally:
•          75% of the men and women involved in date rape had been drinking before the attack occurred.
As you can see, these statistics are very alarming.  They clearly show that 57% of all rapes occur while the victim is on a date with someone who is already known.  We will probably be right to suspect that there is already a fair amount of trust and respect (although undeserving) given to the attacker by the victim before the actual rape occurred.  So when is it safe to begin to trust the person you are on a date with?

This is a difficult question to answer because it will not be the same answer in every situation.  But I would say the answer is probably never for our young teenagers and young adults.  The risk in some cases is obviously just too high.  So these are some common sense things to do when you go on a date to prevent from being drugged, or waking up unclothed, or in a temporary state of memory loss. 

Here are some precautions to take to help prevent ‘Date rape.’
•          If you go to a party, do not drink out of the punch bowl.
•          Plan to go to a party with someone who you happen to know very well.  Like your best friend, a sister, or a brother.
•          Do not accept a drink from anyone…get your own drink.
•          Don’t leave your drink unattended. Take it with you everywhere you go.
•          If you finish your drink and your glass has been setting for awhile, replace that glass with another one before refreshing your drink.
•          If a drink taste or smells funny, throw it away.
•          Don’t share drinks, or drink alcoholic drinks- Over 80% of date rape cases involved the use of alcohol.

Drugs Used in Date Rape

Another name for date rape is called “Drug facilitated Sexual Attack”- DFSA.
Most people probably associate the drug Rohypnol with the use in date rape.  Rohypnol’s affect is usually about 12 hours but it does not leave the body for 72 hours.  A study of date rape that is documented in Wikipedia suggests that Rohypnol is only used in about 1% of all cases of reported date rape.  This was concluded after a number of urine and lab test were done by El Sohly.  The study further concluded that the drugs Midzolan and Temazepam are the two most commonly used drugs in date rape.  There are other drugs used, but those are the most common ones.  It is now considered a crime to have Rohypnol in your possession.  If a person is caught with Rohypnol in their possession, they will be faced with  a mandatory sentence of up to three years.  The “Drug Induced Rape and Prevention Act” (signed by President Clinton) extends the punishment for people who uses date rape drugs (of any type) up to a mandatory 20 years in prison. 

Conception of Dare Rape
Research reveals that the conception of date rape varies throughout the community.  An individual’s conception usually will depend largely on a person’s level of education, religion and political views.  Also it is noted that it is far easier to prosecute rape in a case where there was no date…this is called “stranger rape”  Date rape has been difficult to prove because it is hard to determine if consent was given or not given. 

Here are some basics to follow if you think you have been the victim of date raped:
•          Get medical help ASAP
•          Tell the doctor or nurse about your suspensions that you have been sexually assaulted.  The doctor will order a blood test for sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS.  If these test are not offered you can always ask for them. 
•          Don’t take a bath or change clothes before going for help
•          Don’t douche
•          Don’t blame yourself.  Most victims tend to blame themselves, but you are not at fault.  Feelings of guilt, humiliation, and fright are common.
•          There is a crisis center where a counselor will be available to talk to 24 hours a day.
•          If you are a teenager and are afraid to tell your parents, the counselor at the crisis center will help you with this.  Call the National Domestic Center Hotline at:  1- 800-799-SAFE / 1-800-799-7233