Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence
Information Service
Sedating substances are drugs, both legal and illegal, that
are sometimes used by perpetrators to subdue a potential victim
prior to engaging in sexual activity. The perpetrator may
encourage the potential victim to consume alcohol and/or other
drugs, with the intention of decreasing the victim's inhibitions
or subduing the victim to the point of unconsciousness. The
perpetrator may "slip" a drug unknowingly into a
victim's drink. Some perpetrators look for potential victims who
are intoxicated or high, thinking that those individuals will be
willing participants, or will more readily agree to participate
in sexual activity than somebody who is sober.
Why perpetrators choose to give these drugs to
victims?
- Perpetrators may believe that it is acceptable to
"take advantage" of a person who is high or
intoxicated
- Sedating substances may decrease the victim's inhibitions
- Sedating substances may decrease the victim's motor
control and reflex responses
- Sedating substances may result in unconsciousness
(passing out)
- Sedating substances may cause memory loss (amnesia)
Why do perpetrators sometimes use sedating substances
or other drugs before or during an assault?
- Perpetrators may perceive their actions as justified
because they were high or intoxicated
- Perpetrators may consume drugs to lessen their own
inhibitions to increase the likelihood that they will
follow through with their sexual plans
- Perpetrators may consume drugs to justify their behaviors
Is this rape?
- Yes! Sexual intercourse with an individual who is
physically or mentally incapacitated meets the definition
of 2nd degree rape.
- Washington State Law stated: " A person is guilty of
rape in the second degree... When the victim is incapable
of consent by reason of being physically helpless or
mentally incapacitated for any reason."
- A person is not capable of consenting if they are
physically or mentally incapacitated due to the
consumption of alcohol and/or other drugs.
Alcohol is often used to subdue potential victims. Koss (1988)
found that 55% of female sexual assault victims and 75% of male
sexual assault perpetrators had used alcohol and/or other drugs
at the time of the assault. Alcohol is commonly referred to as a
"social lubricant" due to its disinhibiting side
effect. Many people believe the myth that sexually "taking
advantage" of an intoxicated individual is not rape. Sayings
such as, "Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker,"
maintain this myth and a false sense that it is acceptable to
encourage a person to drink with intentions of becoming sexually
involved with him/her.
Many people use alcohol voluntarily to relax, to escape, to
fit in with the crowd, or as a "social lubricant."
Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant
with side effects that include:
- Decreased inhibitions
- Impaired judgment
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Impaired motor coordination and functioning
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Amnesia (memory loss, black outs)
- Sleepiness
- Unconsciousness (passed out)
- Alcohol poisoning (can be fatal in some cases)
Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate (GHB) is an illicit drug that is
frequently manufactured in home labs. It is sold on the street in
white powder form or as a clear liquid that has a salty taste. In
the 1980's GHB was available in health food stores. It was
marketed as a nutritional supplement and as a weight loss aide to
alter the ratio of fat to lean muscle tissue. In 1990 the Food
and Drug Administration banned the sale of GHB due to harmful
side effects.
Who uses GHB?
- Some body builders use GHB prior to competition, with the
intent of altering their body fat to lean muscle tissue
ratio, to achieve a "cut" appearance.
- GHB is used in the party/nightclub scene by recreational
drug users to achieve a feeling of being high, enhanced
sexual pleasure, heightened feelings of affection, and
relaxation.
- Some perpetrators give their victims GHB, or slip it into
their victim's drink, to sedate and render the victim
helpless.
Street Names for Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate
- GHB
- Grievous Bodily Harm
- Georgia Home Boy
- Liquid Ecstasy (Liquid E)
- Fantasy
- Easy Lay
- Salty Water
- Organic Quaalude
GHB in a CNS depressant with side effects that
include:
- Exhilarating high beginning 15 minutes to 60 minutes
after ingestion - including feelings of silliness,
disinhibition, increased sensuality, increased energy
- Deep sedation
- unconsciousness (passed out)
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Vertigo
- Loss of muscle coordination and control
- Amnesia (memory loss, black outs)
- Respiratory depression (when taken in large doses or when
combined with other CNS depressants)
- Seizures (when taken in large doses or when combined with
other CNS depressants)
- Coma (when taken in large doses or when combined with
other CNS depressants)
- Death (when taken in large doses or when combined with
other CNS depressants)
Rohypnol is illegal in the United States and
is classified as a Schedule I Controlled Substance in Washington.
It is legally available as a prescription sleeping medication in
more that 60 other countries, including Mexico and Colombia.
Rohypnol is sold illegally on the streets as a small pill in
bubble packs. The current formulation of
Rohypnol is undetectable when dissolved in a liquid, as it is
odorless, tasteless, and colorless. A new formulation
of Rohypnol is in the process of being approved. The new Rohypnol
will be easily detected when dissolved in liquid, as it will turn
drinks a dark blue color and gritty particles will float to the
top.
Who uses Rohypnol?
- Rohypnol is prescribed by medical professionals (outside
of the U.S.) for individuals with severe sleep disorders
and as a preanesthetic before surgery.
- Rohypnol is used in the party/nightclub scene by
recreational drug users for its quick (within 10-30
minutes) and inexpensive high.
- Some perpetrators slip Rohypnol into their victim's
drink, to sedate and render the victim helpless.
Street names for Rohypnol include:
- Roofies
- Ruffies
- La Rocha
- Dolcitas
- R-2
- Rib
- Rope
- Pappas
- Potatoes (an indication of the mental state of somebody
under the influence of Rohypnol)
Rohypnol is a CNS depressant with side effects that
include:
- lowered inhibitions
- impaired judgment
- confusion
- drowsiness
- lethargy
- impaired motor skills and coordination
- amnesia (memory loss, black out)
- unconsciousness (passed out)
- coma (when taken in large doses or when combined with
other CNS depressants)
- death (when taken in large doses or when combined with
other CNS depressants)
To reduce the risk of being drugged and/or sexually
assaulted consider utilizing the following strategies:
- Keep your beverages with you at all times or with a
trusted
friend.
- Accept beverages only from people that you know and
trust.
- At bars, clubs and restaurants accept beverages from the
waitstaff and bartenders only.
- When possible choose a closed container drink rather than
an open container drink.
- Be aware of punch bowls (they may be spiked with alcohol
or drugs).
- Use a buddy system and be alert to the behavior of
friends.
- Call 911 or go to the hospital emergency room.
- Request a urine test for Rohypnol and/or GHB.
- Rohypnol can be detected in the urine for up to 60-72
hours after ingestion.
- GHB can be detected in the urine for up to 48-72 after
ingestion.
- If the urine test is being requested in conjunction with
a sexual assault, a free test can be requested.
- The free, national testing service has been
created by Hoffman La Roche, the manufacturers of
Rohypnol, and is performed by El Soy
Laboratories.
- The free testing service can be accessed by law
enforcement, emergency room personnel, and by
rape crisis centers investigating cases of sexual
assault.
- The free testing service provides screening for a
variety of prescription and non prescription
medication (e.g. benzodiazepines, marijuana,
amphetamines).
- The urine sample must be taken by a medical
professional following chain-of-custody
procedures.
- The lab follows chain-of-custody procedures to
preserve the results as legal evidence.
- The lab will share the results with the medical
professional in approximately one week.
For more information, please call SARIS at
(206) 685-HELP (685-4357).
