Posted on 11/08/2004 5:36:31 PM PST by wagglebee
More than one in four sexual assaults occur after a woman has been drugged by her assailant, according to new Canadian research.
The study, published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health, shows that the incidence of so-called ''date-rape drugging'' has increased dramatically in the past decade.
It also reveals that the vast majority of those who are drugged, then raped, are teenagers aged 15 to 19.
The study, conducted by a team led by Margaret McGregor of the Department of Family Practice at the University of British Columbia, is believed to be the first to measure the extent of date-rape drugging.
Researchers found that, in 2002, 10.7 females in every 100,000 women were victims of date-rape drugging. That is up from 3.4 in every 100,000 women prior to 1998.
Among teenagers, the increase is much more pronounced, rising to 59.3 per 100,000 girls in 2002, from 15 per 100,000 girls prior to 1998.
The research was conducted at the B.C. Women's Sexual Assault Service, a large referral and counselling program located in the emergency room of B.C. Women's Hospital. The centre deals with more than 250 cases of sexual assault that occur annually in the greater Vancouver area.
Dr. McPherson said the typical "drug-facilitated" sexual assault involves a woman consuming one or two alcoholic beverages and passing out.
She said a broad range of prescription and non-prescription drugs are used to disinhibit or sedate the victim to facilitate the sexual assault.
These drugs include the so-called date-rape drugs Rohypnol and GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), as well as a number of other lesser-known but easily available sedatives, such as lorazepam, clonazepam, zopiclone and chloral hydrate. All these drugs cause drowsiness and loss of inhibition, along with memory loss.
Another characteristic of date-rape drugs is that they are rapidly absorbed by the body, and rapidly excreted, so there is little evidence of the drugging.
Dr. McPherson said there appears to be a "significant and sustained trend" toward using these drugs. She pointed to easy access to "date-rape kits," which can be easily purchased on the Web.
Dr. McPherson said the increase in reported cases could be part of greater awareness. But, because the number of sexual assault cases that do not involve drugging have remained steady, she believes the increases are real.
As part of the study, researchers examined media reports of date-rape drugs. They found the first reports in the Canadian media were in 1995. Since then, there has been a steady rise in cases.
The researchers say the media coverage may be contributing to the problem: This "Melbourne effect" was seen most directly in a huge spike in drug-facilitated sexual assaults after a case in that Australian city received a lot of media attention.
To conduct the new study, researchers examined 1,594 sexual assaults that were reported to the Sexual Assault Service between 1993 and 2002. A total of 246 cases, 15.4 per cent, were deemed to be drug-facilitated sexual assaults.
Eleven of the victims were male, and 235 were female.
Dr. McPherson said the increasing use of drugs that cause amnesia has implications for the treatment of women who have been victims of sexual assault. It is particularly difficult and challenging to counsel women who are "unsure what may or may not have happened," she said, and the drugs make it more difficult to pursue criminal charges.
Only about 10 per cent of all sexual assaults are reported to authorities.
As a single female, I do not go to bars and parties to meet men just for that reason. I will not accept drinks from people I don't know. It's rough out there.
they can buy the drugs cheaper there...
One big problem with Canada is that it has a lower drinking age (I think in many provinces it's 18 for beer), so there are naive high school girls who don't have a clue how to watch out for themselves.
Ah but it is if you want to be free of personal responsibility and consequences.
And don't forget-
Coming soon to a Canada near you: Sha'ria court for the date-raped since they've tarnished the honor of their families.
AH HA! Now we know the real reason all the DUmmies are trying to move there....LOL
I didn't know about the lower drinking age. Also, a sleeping pill will work with soda or any other drink. Even a 'safe drink' can be tainted.
Good girl!
I don't really think that matters much- kids who will drink do it at whatever age they get their hands on it- legal age regardless.
I agree! It's best to not drink at all when out and single!!! LOL!
I don't actually think that lower drinking ages have any impact on whether or not kids drink. But it does enable them to legally go to bars, which certainly increases the risks.
Yes one needs to be clear headed when they come at you with the lies- I mean lines ;-)
We have an increasing worry here in Ireland with the date rate drug Rohypnol...especially since the smoking ban came into effect.
Pubs will not allow people bring their drinks outside of the bars with them, so if they are left inside and unattended by girls going outside to smoke, there is an increased danger that they can be drugged.
That's smart. My cousin got dosed with something a few years ago. She didn't get raped or taken anywhere, but she did end getting her stomach pumped at the ER.
Yeah I went to Catholic school too. My mom and dad thought I'd be a little too trusting and naive about people. Not to worry though. I've read enough horrors to know :(
I know someone who has a baby, and she's not sure if she was raped or not on these drugs. She was doing drugs anyway, but you know how it is. It's pretty sad.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.