Date rape drugs
There has recently been media coverage of incidents of sexual assault in Chicago. Rape is an issue that affects us all, even when not in the newspapers. For example, since 1995 there have been 14 reported cases of women raped and murdered in and around the Englewood area. These cases in Englewood have created an atmosphere of fear for many residents of that neighborhood. These and countless other rapes are often never solved.
There has also recently been coverage specifically about gay victims of dateÂrape drugs ( Outlines, July 14 ) . Urban mythology suggests that a rapist is a man of color lurking behind some bushes in a dark alley at 2 oÂ'clock in the morning who will then jump out and rape a white ( presumably heterosexual ) woman. The reality is that sexual assault and sexual abuse victims and perpetrators come from many communities. Most rape victims are attacked by someone of their own race. Most victims know their attackers, and many rapes happen at home or in the workplace.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered ( LGBT ) people are just as likely to be victims of sexual assault and abuse as their heterosexual counterparts. Another reality of sexual violence is that many LGBT people are victims of sexual violence and sometimes hate violence while under the influence of alcohol or dateÂrape drugs.
Rape is not about sexual needs, but need to abuse power and hurt someone. Rapists use dateÂrape drugs as a way to subdue a victim then exert power over them and violate, humiliate or punish them. Some people use the same drugs voluntarily while partying to mellow out or relax muscles. These "casual users" of dateÂrape drugs can easily overdo their dosage and put themselves at risk of violence or a medical crisis.
Alcohol is the most used date rape drug in this country. It can be legally purchased and is socially acceptable to use. Unlike alcohol, most other dateÂrape drugs are odorless, tasteless and nearly impossible to detect visually. Only recently has one such drug ( Rohypnol ) changed its composition so that it appears cloudy blue with particles rising to the top of the drink. With the exception of alcohol, dateÂrape drugs can only be detected in a personÂ's system by administering a urine test. However, most dateÂrape drugs leave the body very quickly, usually within 12䏜 hours.
DateÂrape drugs usually impact a person within 20Â 30 minutes. They impair motor skills and can cause heavy sleep. With drugs such as Rohypnol, Ketamine or GHB ( known respectively on the street as roofies, roach, special K, vitamin K, K, liquid G, G and dozen other names ) , side effects can include memory loss, hallucinations, nausea and slurred speech. With large doses of dateÂrape drugs, effects can include respiratory complications, coma and death.
One reason dateÂrape drugs pose such a threat is because they are cheap and are easily ingested in drinks. DateÂrape drugs are a threat to LGBT communities. Rape Victim Advocates has worked with many LGBT victims whose rapists used dateÂrape drugs. Some examples include a LGBT person waking up in a strange bed with painful indicators of having been penetrated without giving consent or a couple or roommates being drugged and raped by another roommate as a form of punishment and retaliation.
Here are some suggestions for prevention:
Drink only from containers you have opened yourself.
If you cannot drink from a container you opened yourself, get your own drink.
Keep your drink with you at all times.
If you leave your drink unattended or are unsure a drink is yours, get a new drink.
Avoid consuming more than one alcoholic drink per hour.
Rape Victims Advocates has been providing advocacy, counseling and education services to women, men and adolescents in Chicago since 1974. These services are free and confidential and available without regard to a personÂ's sexual orientation, race, gender, age, religion or ability. In fact, LGBT people and LGBT supportive people are staff and volunteers at RVA.
RVAÂ's counseling department is currently offering a support group for lesbians and bisexual women who are survivors of sexual assault or abuse.
For more information regarding the support group or RVA programs, please call ( 312 ) 663Â 6303 or visit our website at http://members.aol.com/rva1974.
The Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline provides crisis counseling, information and referrals 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The hotline provides sensitive and supportive services for LGBT survivors. If youÂ've experienced sexual assault or abuse, call the Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline ( 888 ) 293Â 2080.
¯ Gerardo Montemayor
Director of Education and Training
Rape Victims Advocates ( RVA )
Celebrations
I just want to thank you for running our "Anniversary" announcement. I loved the title/category "Celebrations"... how wonderfully appropriate. Please know you brought an incredible surprise to "Di." It is because of these "special" areas/columns that we are so glad to support Outlines by maintaining our subscription. Thank you so very much for adding to our lives.
¯ J.B., Lisle.
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