সক্রেটিস Largest at-risk group? Women 18-24, university students Second-largest risk group? Professional women in business travelling to conferences At home Drug rape is about power and domination A person cannot consent to sex when under the influence of drugs; sex without consent is rape Drug rape happens to men too How it happens  Alcohol is the most common vehicle • Takes effect within 10-30 minutes • Alcohol can make it stronger • No colour smell or taste, or bitter taste masked by alcohol • Can also be given in coffee, orange juice or cola  Can be by injection or inhaled • Takes effect almost immediately  Often, the offender is a friend or acquaintance  Can be pills, liquid or white powder Symptoms  You may black out • You may still be moving around and talking but not remember much  Common symptoms are: relaxation, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, tremors, sweating, dream-like feeling, sudden drunk feeling, problems talking, confusion, distorted perception, loss of co-ordination, slurred speech – in other words, you can look very drunk Aftermath  You may wake up feeling dizzy and disoriented or clear-headed, depending on the drug  You may wake up naked or sore  Many of these drugs take away your memory  You may have disjointed flashbacks  There may be long-term damage from an overdose  Drugs may be detected in urine tests 12-72 hours later, so seek medical help and don’t urinate beforehand  Don’t shower before examination  Protect yourself from infection and pregnancy What can women do?  Take your own drinks to parties and drink out of bottles (harder to slip something into)  Buy your own drinks or watch them being opened  Never let a stranger buy you a drink  Don’t drink from punch bowls or open containers  Go out with a group of friends and make a pact to stay together  NEVER leave drinks unattended, even to go to the bathroom  Tell someone you trust where you’re going out What can men do?  Drug rapists like to boast “with the boys” • Openly condemn drug rape  Discuss with men the impact of drug rape on women • Drug rapists rationalise that “it doesn’t count if she was unconscious” • Alcohol’s a drug too  Be alert for predatory behaviour in other men • Many drug rapists think they are “smarter” than other rapists  Watch for drink spiking • Drugs come in colourless liquids, pills, or white powder What can men do?  Make a safety plan before you go out  If you suspect a woman has been drugged, don’t let a man take her away, make sure she rests somewhere safe until the effect has worn off, or seek medical care • She may look drunk • Drug rapists are forceful liars and may claim to know her and offer to take her home; they may aggressively resist your “interference” • Drug rapists often know their victim