Only one in thirteen reported rapes end in a conviction

8% of rapes are carried out by strangers

"Date Rape Drugs" are estimated to be involved in one in five reported rapes
Information from Home Office survey 2002.

What is Rape?

Legal Definition: -

"The offence of "rape" was amended by section 142 of the Criminal Justice and
Public Order Act 1994. It is now possible for a man to rape a woman by vaginal or
anal intercourse and for a man to rape another man by anal intercourse. It is appropriate to consider a charge of rape instead of buggery where consent is absent and intercourse has taken place per (via the) anus.

Section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 now states:
1(1) It is offence for a man to rape a woman or another man.
1(2) A man commits rape if:

a) he has sexual intercourse with a person (whether vaginal or anal) who at the time of intercourse does not consent to it; AND
b) (b) at that time he knows that the person does not consent to the intercourse, or he is reckless as to whether that person consents to it.

This definition applies to any legislation where rape is part of the offence (e.g. burglary with intent to rape)

1(3) A man also commits rape if he induces a married woman to have sexual intercourse with him by impersonating her husband.

Please refer to police for details of amendment to the definition of rape which came into force 2004.

DRUG ASSISTED RAPE -THE MOST COMMON DRUGS USED: -

1 - PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

2 - ALCOHOL

3 - ROHYPNOL

4 - ANTIHISTAMINES (these are available without prescription)

5 - KETAMINE

6 - GHB

1 - PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

These are drugs that have been prescribed for the treatment of a specific illness and are used other for their intended purpose.

2 - ALCOHOL

Alcohol is a depressant drug that slows down the activity of the brain and spinal cord. Beer, wine and spirits contain different percentages of alcohol. As alcohol enters the bloodstream it blocks the control centres in the brain, resulting in varying levels of intoxication. These levels range from feeling happy/ confused to being in a coma. Poor judgement and lack of control are the results of intoxication and render a person more vulnerable to being in situations where rape is more likely to happen - leaving friends, not being aware of issues of personal safety. Alcohol poisoning and even death may occur in extreme cases of intoxication.

3 - ROHYPNOL

This is the brand name for the drug Flunitrazepam and is ten times more potent than another once widely prescribed drug - velum. Rhino is used as a sedative - and takes approximately ten minutes for a person to feel its effects which can last for unto eight hours. It can be slipped in a drink or mixed with food and comes in tablet form. Rohypnol also known by the street names of "roofies ", "roche ", "R - 2 ", "rope" and "rib ", lowers inhibitions and can have dramatic side effects. These include -feeling/being sick, disorientation and the person may not be able to talk or move and may pass out with no memory of what has happened. This drug when combined with alcohol can lead to death. It has no taste or colour and dissolves quickly in liquids. There is a test available in the U.K. which provides a positive result if Rohypnol is present in a drink. Further information available from the police.

4 - KETAMINE

Ketamine is a legal drug sold as a veterinary sedative or hospital grade anaesthesia. Ketamine or ketalar can be injected as a liquid or reduced to a powder and smoked or snorted and causes hallucinations, visual distortions and disassociation. It also produces numbness and muscle rigidity or aggressive behaviour. Pain sensations are dulled and the effects can last up to 2 hours but it can take up to 48 hours before the user may feel completely "normal ". Nausea is likely if food has been consumed within 90 minutes of taking the drug. If too much ketamine is taken, the brain and muscles may not get enough oxygen and an overdose can cause the heart to stop.

5 - GAMMA HYDROXYBUTYRA TE (GHB)

Street names - easy lay, EZ lay, liquid ecstasy, clear x, liquid x, x-rater, XTC, chemical X; liquid dream, scoop, and get her to bed. This is an odourless, colourless liquid that acts on the central nervous system as a depressant/anaesthesia. It is made in illegal drug labs or made at home. It is easily made with common and readily available ingredients and a few chemistry skills. Making, possessing and/or using this drug is illegal. It can easily be slipped into drinks since it looks similar to water and once ingested its effects can be noticed after 15 minutes and can last up to 3 hours. In small doses GHB has effects that are similar to alcohol. Large doses can cause blackouts and memory loss and this makes it a drug favoured by people wanting to rape others. GHB can also cause seizures, vomiting, respiratory problems and coma.

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF?

1. DO NOT LEAVE DRINKS UNATTENDED

2. TRY TO HAVE BOTTLED DRINKS AND KEEP THE TOP CLOSED WITH TOP OR FINGER

3. BE AWARE OF HOW MUCH ALCOHOL YOU HAVE DRUNK! ARE DRINKING AND IF YOU START TO FEEL ILL/DIFFERENT THEN GET A TAXI HOME OR TELL SOMEONE YOU TRUST

4. DO NOT ACCEPT A DRINK FROM A STRANGER

5. IF A DRINK TASTES OR LOOKS STRANGE DO NOT CARRY ON DRINKING IT

6. BE AWARE OF THE PEOPLE AROUIND YOU AND OF THEIR BEHAVIOUR

7. GO OUT WITH FRIENDS YOU CAN TRUST

8. TELL PEOPLE WHERE YOU ARE GOING

9. ONLY ACCEPT DRINKS FROM BAR STAFF AND WATCH THEM OPEN THE BOTTLE

10. A FRIEND WHO IS ACTING VERY INTOXICATED AFTER A COUPLE OF DRINKS MAY HAVE HAD A SUBSTANCE ADDED TO THEIR DRINK AND YOU SHOULD SEEK HELP FOR THEM

11. REMEMBER DRUG ASSISTED RAPE IS NOT RESTRICTED TO FEMALE VICTIMS - MEN ARE ALSO RAPED

12. IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE BEEN GIVEN A DRINK CONTANING A DRUG GO STRAIGHT TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL AND ASK FOR A URINE TEST. ALTHOUGH DRUG TRACES MAY BE PRESENT FOR UP TO 72 HOURS THE CHANCE OF GETTING PROOF IS BEST WHEN THE SAMPLE IS OBTAINED QUICKLY

13. THE BEST ADVICE TO AVOID HAVING YOUR DRINK SPIKED IS TO TRUST NO-ONE POST JANUARY 1998 ROHYNOL FROM ROCHE SHOULD TURN THE DRINK BLUE AND LEAVE A RESIDUE ON THE SURFACE

14. THERE IS AN AGENT THAT REVERSES THE EFFECTS OF SEVERE ROHYPNOL OVERDOSE.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE HAD YOUR DRINK "SPIKED" AND HAVE BECOME A VICTIM OF DRUG ASSISTED RAPE?

Firstly there will be signs of sexual activity having taken place even if you have no memory of having had sex. It is important to note here that if you have had sex but can not remember doing it or offering consent you have been raped under the law, whether or not a date rape drug has been used. Signs that a sexual assault have taken place can include,. soreness or bruising in the genital area or anal area, bruising or soreness on the inner or/and outer thighs, bruising on the wrist or fore arms, defensive or scratching as would occur as a result of a struggle. If you suspect that you have been given a date rape drug, there is no way to be sure without medical testing. You need to get to a hospital and request that you are tested properly as these drugs only stay in your system for a short time.

IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU HAVE BEEN RAPED:

1- DO NOT shower, wash, or change your clothes

2 - Save clothing or other evidence

3 - Contact the police and ask for a sexual assault test

THE POLICE HAVE SPECIALLY TRAINED STAFF WHO WILL BE ABLE TO ADVISE AND PROVIDE YOU WITH SUPPORT

4 - Access medical attention - this is important in relation to sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy testing. The effects of rape are long term. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a common problem for some rape survivors

HELP AND SUPPORT

IF YOU NEED TO TALK TO SOME ONE ABOUT RAPE - THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SUPPORT CENTRES. A FEW ARE LISTED BUT ALL CAN BE FOUND INPHONE BOOKS AND DOCTOR'S SURGERIES

RAPE CRISIS

SAMARITANS

PHONE 0345 909090, E-MAIL Jo@samaritans.org

VICTIM SUPPORT PHONE 0845 3003900