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Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault
Drug facilitated sexual assault occurs when a chemical agent is used to assist or encourage sexual contact.
Alcohol and majijuana are the most commonly encountered substances in alleged cases of sexual assault, which supports the view that consumption of impairing substances is an important risk factor in sexual assault.
More than 20 different drugs have been associated with drug facilitated sexual assault. Common drug screens that are performed in hospital labs or for routine workplace drug testing are not acceptable for drug facilitated sexual assault cases. Collection of blood is particularly important if the drug administration occurred within the last 24 hours.
Victims of drug facilitated sexual assault may experience confusion, dizziness, psychomotor impairment, drowsiness, impaired judgment, reduced inhibitions or slurred speech.
Drug induced anterograde amnesia, whereby the drug temporarily disables the brain's ability to store information into memory, may cause the victim to be uncertain about the facts surrounding the assault. This uncertainty may produce an unwillingness to report the rape or provide biological samples for forensic testing.
Because many of the depressant-type effects of drugs used to incapacitate the victim are similar to the effects of alcohol, it is probable that many incidents of drug facilitated sexual assault are not recognized.
Women who feel unusually intoxicated and suspect that they may have unknowingly ingested a drug should seek immediate assistance.
Warning Signs:
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If the victim recalls having a drink but cannot recall what happened for a period of time after consuming the drink.
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If the victim suspects that there was sexual contact but cannot remember any or all of the incident.
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If the victim feels more intoxicated than their usual response to the same amount of alcohol.
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If the victim wakes up feeling hung over and experiences a memory lapse or cannot account for periods of time.
Prevention Tips:
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Don't drink beverages that you did not open yourself.
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Don't share or exchange drinks with anyone.
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Don't drink from a container that is being passed around.
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If someone offers you a drink, accompany them to the bar, watch the drink being poured and carry the drink yourself.
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Don't leave your drink unattended.
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If your drink has been left unattended, discard it.
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Don't drink anything that has an unusual taste or appearance (e.g. excess foaming, unusual taste, unexplained residue)
As many as 75% of sexual assaults in the United States are reported to be acquaintance rapes.
Legislative efforts to curb the growing trend of drug facilitated sexual assault have included restricting drug access and increased sentencing.
In particular, the Drug-Induced Rape Prevention and Punishment Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-305) increases penalties for those who use drugs to assist them in committing a sexual assault or other violent crime.
- Taken from the Department of Health Scientific Laboratory Division | 
