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Date Rape, Drink Spiking and No Means No

Superdrewby November 2004

Drink Spiking is on the rise throughout the world and it is especially prevalent in the gay and lesbian community. Spiking of drinks often leads to an unwanted sexual encounter in a situation that is not to your choosing. Drink spiking is when someone puts a drug like royhpnol, GHB, sleeping pills or some other drug in your drink with the intention to sexually assault or taking advantage of you.

What to look out for

It’s not all bad news, but it does pay to be aware of the symptoms of Drink Spiking and what you can do to avoid being a statistic.

• dizziness, feeling light-headed, queasiness
• drowsiness, loss of consciousness, confusion
• wild behaviour, lack of self- control
• problems with coordination.

Many victims of drink spiking describe having blackouts and can't remember what happened to them the next day.

Source: About Date Rape

What to do to avoid being a victim

• Only accept drinks from people you know and trust.
• Be suspicious if someone buys you a drink and it's not what you asked for
• Keep your drink with you, and finish it before you go to the bathroom or onto the dance floor
• If someone you don't know offers to buy you a drink, go to the bar with them
• Never share or exchange drinks with anyone
• Look out for your mates – if they seem too drunk or too out of it for what they've had, they may be in danger
• If you decide to go home with someone, introduce them to your friends (or the bar staff or security) and make sure they know others have seen them
• Help friends get home safely after a night out, or check they're OK before they leave with anyone
• Always let people you have just met think you have a flatmate or live with other people
• Don't be too quick to trust somebody you don't know – be careful about taking strangers at face value
• If you feel dizzy or light-headed but haven't had much to drink, try to get to safe place with safe people (people you know and trust).

Male Rape

Sexual Assault is more common in the gay scene than one might at first think, being coerced into doing something sexually is not on at any time and it is rape. In fact it is estimated that between 10 – 15% of sexual assault victims are men. Many men regardless of their sexuality are reticent to come forward and report sexual assault because they feel immense shame. There is no reason to feel shame!

There is a misguided belief that a guy cannot be raped or that they did something to encourage the assault.

Male Rape can leave a guy:

• Feeling Shame;
• Feeling very alone
• Questioning their sexuality – even if they are gay they can still question their sexuality
• Feeling as though they bought it upon themselves

There is never an excuse for sexual assault and it is Rape and the perpetrator will go to jail.

What to do if you think you have been a victim of sexual assault

Talk to counselor as soon as you can and they will advise you of what to do. If you think that you may have had unsafe sex go immediately to a doctor and talk about taking the PEP treatment which can stop you from contracting the HIV / AIDS virus. But you need to start taking the treatment within 72 or it becomes less effective. Go see a:

• Hospital
• Sexual Health Worker or Clinic
• Counseller
• Police

Remember if you are a victim of sexual assault

• It is not your fault
• You did not bring it on yourself
• You did not deserve it
• You did the right thing to survive
• You will get better

Rape Survival Kit (PDF download from NSW Health)

The bottom line is there is no shame in being a victim of date rape or drink spiking. When you are out and about be aware of what is happening around you and make sure you have friends with you, That you can rely on. Look out for your friends too and if they start acting really strangely offer to take them home! Never let a friend go home with someone when they are totally out of it!

More information:

http://www.aboutdaterape.nsw.gov.au/index.html