Drug Facilitated Rape

Developed by Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence

Rapists sometimes rely on alcohol to aid in the sexual assault of their victims. Today there are many new drugs available that may cause someone to black out and become vulnerable to an assault. This publication provides information about how to help reduce your risk for this type of sexual assault, and what to do if you or someone you know is a victim.

Sexual assault survivors who have been assaulted with the use of a substance will likely encounter additional issues that may complicate their recovery. Survivors who were heavily sedated will likely have little, if any, recollection of the details of the assault. This sense of the unknown, coupled with the usual loss of control most survivors experience, may intensify the trauma. Survivors may eventually have to come to terms with the idea that they may never recall what happened.

The Three Most Commonly Used Date Rape Drugs:

Rohypnol (colorless, tasteless, odorless, not legal in the U.S.) Street names: Ruffies, Mexican Valium, Rib, the Forget Pill, LaRoche.
Ketamine (approved for use only by veterinarians) Street names: Special K, Jet, Super Acid, Vitamin K.
GHB (salty taste, approved for use only by physicians) Street names: Gamma-Oh, Grievous Bodily Harm, Georgia Home Boy, Goop, Liquid Ecstasy.

The effects of these drugs will be experienced quickly by the victim so that she/he will be unable to resist the attack.

If You are a Victim of Sexual Violence:

First of all, remember that you are the victim. It is not your fault. Seek help.
Reporting is your choice. If you decide to report the crime, call 911. Reporting as soon as possible may preserve evidence.
If you are thinking about reporting, do not wash, douche, or change clothes until you have been examined medically. Doing so may alter valuable evidence that could be used if the case is prosecuted.
Go to a hospital emergency room for assistance and treatment. Ask if your community has a Victim Advocacy program that allows an advocate to be with you to provide support and information.
Get support. Most crisis centers can provide referral information and confidential support services available in your area.
Whether or not you report the attack to law enforcement, you should still protect your health. It is best to be treated for sexually transmitted diseases within the first 72 hours after being assaulted. Consult your health care provider for information about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

If You Suspect Date Rape Drugs Were Used:

Screening for many of these drugs is most accurate if testing is done immediately.
Seek medical assistance for any symptoms or side effects you may be experienceing.

Physical Effects of Sedating Substances:

Although the physical effects of the three drugs listed above may differ, general physical effects may include:

Disproportionate level of intoxication in relation to amount of alcohol consumed.
Drowsiness, sedation, muscle relaxation/weakness, dizziness and reduced heart rate.
Impaired coordination and blurred vision.
Confusion, impaired judgment.
Impaired ability to remember details.
Complete or partial amnesia.
Some may experience excitability or aggressive behavior, seizures, severe respiratory depression or coma.

Optimize Safety:

Do not leave beverages unattended.
Do not accept any beverages, including alcohol, from someone else.
At a bar or club, accept drinks only from the bartender or server.
At parties, do not accept open-container drinks from anyone.
Be alert to the behavior of friends and ask them to watch out for you. Anyone extremely intoxicated after consuming only a small amount of alcohol may be in danger.
Don't take a drink from a punch bowl.
Don't drink beverages that you did not open yourself.
Don't share or exchange drinks with anyone.
If you realize that your drink has been left unattended, discard it.
Don't drink anything that has an unusual taste or appearance (salty taste, excessive foam, unexplained residue).

RESOURCES

In an Emergency Call 911

For support, call one of the following:

Kansas Crisis Hotline
1-888-END-ABUSE
(1-888-363-2287)

Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE
(1-800-656-4673)

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE
(1-800-799-7233)

State of Kansas, Office of the Attorney General

Kansas Attorney General's Crime Victims' Rights Program and Crime Victims' Compensation board has information about victims' assistance programs administered out of the AG's office and application requirements for compensation from the state if you have been the victim of a violent crime.

KANSAS SEXUAL and DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELPLINE NUMBERS

This table lists the Kansas sexual and domestic violence programs alphabetically by city, services provided, program names and their HOTLINE phone numbers.

CITY	SERVICES	KCSDV MEMBER PROGRAM	CRISIS HOTLINE NUMBER
1. Atchison	DV/SA	DoVES	800-367-7075 or 913-367-0363
2. Dodge City	DV/SA	Crisis Center of Dodge City	620-225-6510
3. El Dorado	DV/SA	Family Life Center of Butler County	316-321-7104 or 800-8870-6967
4. Emporia	DV/SA	SOS, Inc.	800-825-1295 or 620-342-1870
5. Garden City	DV/SA	Family Crisis Services	620-275-5911
6. Great Bend	DV/SA	Family Crisis Center	620-792-1885 or 866-792-1885
7. Hays	DV/SA	Northwest Kansas Domestic and Sexual Violence Services	800-794-4624 or 785-625-3055
8. Hutchinson	DV/SA	Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Center	800-701-3630 or 620-663-2522
9. Iola	DV/SA	Hope Unlimited	620-365-7566
10. Kansas City, KS	DV	El Centro, Inc. ¡Si Se Puede!	913-281-1186
11. Kansas City, KS	DV	Friends of Yates Joyce Williams Center	913-321-0951
12. Kansas City, MO	DV/SA	KCAVP	816-561-0550
13. Kansas City, MO	SA	MOCSA	816-531-0233
14. Lawrence	SA	GaDuGi Safe Center	785-841-2345
15. Lawrence	DV	Women's Transitional Care Services	800-770-3030 or 785-843-3333
16. Leavenworth	DV/SA	Alliance Against Family Violence	800-644-1441 or 913-682-9131
17. Liberal	DV/SA	Liberal Area Rape Crisis and DV Services	620-624-8818
18. Manhattan	DV/SA	The Crisis Center, Inc.	800-727-2785 or 785-539-2785
19. Mayetta	DV/SA	Prairie Band Potawatomi Family Violence Prevention Program	785-966-0173
20. Newton	DV/SA	Harvey County DV/SA Task Force	800-487-0510 or 316-283-0350
21. Overland Park	DV/SA	Safehome	888-432-9300 or 913-262-2868
22. Pittsburg	DV/SA	Crisis Resource Center of Southeast Kansas, Inc.	800-794-9148 or 620-231-8251
23. Salina	DV/SA	Domestic Violence Assoc. of Central Kansas	800-874-1499 or 785-827-5862
24. Topeka	DV/SA	YWCA Battered Women Task Force	888-822-2983 or 785-354-7927
25. Ulysses	DV/SA	DoVES of Grant County	620-356-2608
26. Wichita	DV	Catholic Charities Harbor House	316-263-6000
27. Wichita	DV	StepStone	316-265-1611
28. Wichita	SA	Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center	316-263-3002
29. Wichita	DV	YWCA Women's Crisis Center	316-267-7233
30. Winfield	DV/SA	Safe Homes, Inc.	800-794-7672 or 620-221-4357

Funds have been provided through the Federal Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant awarded to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and administered by the Kansas Attorney General's Office.

The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of the Kansas Attorney General, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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