Date rape, or “acquaintance rape,” occurs when someone is forced into sex with someone that they know. This can happen to males or females and is most widely done at clubs, parties, raves, and even military compounds.
The most common date rape drugs include alcohol, Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and Rohypnol.
“The most common type used would be GHB, because it’s easy to disguise,” said Kent Cameron, Salt Lake County Sheriff Deputy.
According to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation website (www.pamf.org), GHB is a clear, odorless liquid that looks like water and acts as a central nervous system depressant. Also known as “liquid ecstasy” and “soap”, GHB is sold online, at all-night dances, nightclubs and raves.
GHB makes the consumer feel “happy,” have more energy, feel intoxicated, become talkative and playful.
Rohypnol, or “roofies”, is like GHB, but it is a pill that is crushed and put into drinks and is very addictive. It also causes the user to forget anything that happened while they were intoxicated.
“Roofies” is not legal in the US, but according to The Universe of Women’s Health website (www.obgyn.net), it is used in more than 60 countries for severe insomnia.
All of these are dropped into alcohol to hide what they are, so the victim can be easily raped. Alcohol in itself is also considered to be a date rape drug. It slows a victim’s processes and prevents them from thinking clearly.
The University of Wisconsin’s Police Force website (www.uwec.edu) states that “[men] who drink are also at greater risk of being accused of raping someone-rightly or wrongly.” Those who drink may not be raped, but they may be rightly or wrongly accused of raping someone else.
Though date rape is common in society, the number of reports is starting to increase in the military.
“Date rape is a significant problem,” said National Guard unit victim advocate Tina Powell. “People are encouraged not to report it, and it is a very negative thing in the military. Some of the older members would just tough it out, but maybe with the newer generation it will become less of a problem.”
In the year 2009, 2,923 assaults in the military were reported for the whole year. According to Powell, that is only about one third of the cases that get reported.
Date rape is a crime, and should always be reported. Victims of date rape are encouraged to keep all of the evidence and go to their local hospital for an examination.