It’s no news that many girls especially college students have had date rape experience. This disturbing trend means learning how girls can protect themselves against date drugs is now critical.

As a man, you may have never had an encounter with date rape drugs. On second examination, it’s likely you have women in your life that are susceptible to this situation. If you take the time to learn some preventive tips, you can pass them on to the women in your life.

“Date rape” doesn’t necessarily mean the crime was committed after or during a date. In fact, many victims of this situation are assaulted by strangers. It often happens at parties, clubs or even bars. What usually takes place, is that the drink of the victim is unknowingly spiked.

The drugged drink will make the person feel weak, tired or sleepy. Most times, it alters the individual’s consciousness so they’re unable to make sound decisions at that moment.

So are you concerned about the vulnerability of the females around you to these drugs? Here, we’ll provide security tips to protect against date rape. Also, we’ll explain the common types of medication used for these acts. This way, you or the women in your life can know what to look out for.

What is Date Rape?

How girls can protect themselves against date rape drugs starts with the basics. Date rape is a situation of a nonconsensual sexual act between two people. It’s also referred to as acquaintance rape. The reason is, most times the women are assaulted by their lovers or someone they barely know.

Now, some individuals believe they can’t be raped by someone they’re intimate with. However, that’s isn’t true. There must be consent at every moment before sex. Date rape drugs take away this consent. For this reason, it’s regarded as a felony. These drugs are tasteless and can be slipped into your water too.

Keep in mind that it can occur in any place and not just bars where they serve alcohol. This crime is usually targeted towards girls between the ages of 16 to 25. Therefore, it’s not surprising you’ll want to know how to help the women in your life avoid date rape drugs.

Common Date Rape Drugs

Trying to detect date drugs in a woman’s drink can be quite difficult. Undoubtedly, this makes learning how girls can protect themselves against date drugs complicated.

These drugs are tasteless, odourless and colourless. So how can you tell if the barman or a stranger has roofied your girlfriend’s drink? All you need to do is learn about them.

Alcohol

This is a very common date drug. Of course, anyone including underage people can have access to it. If your sister or girlfriend takes a lot of alcohol, they’re at risk of falling victim to date rape. Alcohol reduces a person’s level of consciousness. In the same vein, it makes people less alert of their present situation.

No doubt, this will make it impossible for her to remember anything after the incident. Now, it can get worse if her alcohol is roofied with another substance. There’s every possibility she’ll have sex unknowingly.

Ketamine

Ketamine, also referred to as cat valium has been used in many cases of sexual assault. It takes effects within 30 minutes or an hour.

Luckily, a high dose of this substance will alter the flavour of a drink. Although, some people put it in strong tasting beverages to cover its presence.

As a male who’s conversant with alcohol, it’s likely you may detect it easily. Part of how to protect the women in your lives against date rape drugs is to educate them about the taste of their drinks. They shouldn’t shrug off any differences in taste.

Rohypnol

If it’s slipped in a lady’s drink, Rohypnol will take effect within 30 minutes. It causes women to feel relaxed, confused and dizzy. Say you’re on a date and your partner begins to talk incoherently. It’s possible she may be drugged with it.

Rohypnol usually dissolves fast in drinks. However, you may find settled particles of it in an empty glass. The terrible thing about it is, after it wears off, the victim will not remember anything.

GHB

This is referred to as goop. It’s normally prescribed for anxiety and narcolepsy. Within 15 minutes of taking it, the victim may begin to vomit and experience breathing difficulties. GHB administered in high doses can cause death. This drug is odourless and colourless with a slightly salty taste.

Related Article: How Not to Get Drugged at a Party

How Girls Can Protect Themselves Against Date Rape Drugs

There are several tips on how girls can protect themselves against date rape drugs. As a man, there’s only little you can do in protecting the women you care about against this crime. It’s unlikely you’ll be with them 24/7 to help them taste and monitor their drinks.

However, there are precautionary mini-measures you can take. Start by familiarizing yourself with her acquaintances. This way, you can always get first-hand information about her whereabouts.

That being said, here are various things the women around you can do to avoid being victims. They include:

• Don’t accept drinks from strangers: This is one of the best ways to prevent date rape. If the women in your life ever want to accept drinks from people they don’t know, they should get it from the server themselves. In fact, they should see it being poured and not take drinks already on the counter.
• They should also keep their eye on their drinks. Besides, if they want to look away, it’s best to place their palm over it. Since their hands may tire after a while, we advise you to get them glass covers for their drinks.
• If possible, they should avoid taking alcohol and stick to water and flavoured juice.
• They shouldn’t take beverages that have a salty taste. Most times date rape drugs taste this way.
• Drink responsibly: Yes, it’s okay to consume alcohol. However, they shouldn’t take too much of it. You can also give them a limit of bottles that they can drink in social gatherings. By doing this, it’s unlikely they’ll lose consciousness.
• They should keep a non-drinking friend: As mentioned earlier, you should know their close pals. Now among their friends, ensure there’s someone who doesn’t drink. This person will be sober to help them in case they’re drugged.
• Put your number as their emergency contact: To avoid any unwanted sexual experiences for the ladies around you, put your number as their emergency contact. This way, if they’re feeling strange or losing consciousness, they can quickly call you.
• Teach them how to detect roofies: Unlike men who have drinking tolerance, women pay less attention to their drinks. Most times, they just drink for the fun of it. Hence, tutor them on how to identify the taste of particular alcoholic beverages. With this, they’ll be able to identify any strange tastes in their drink.
• Purchase test strips and nail polish that change colour if they come in contact with drugs. This will make it easier for them to identify roofies in their drinks.
• They should carry their drink to the washroom.
• They should not drink anything that’s left unattended. This includes water, soda or soft drinks.
• Tell them not to consume drinks mixed in punch bowls or open containers. They may have been spiked.
• If they suspect they’ve been drugged, they should dial 911 immediately.
• Ensure they avoid every type of party drugs. Just like date rape drugs, several substances can leave them disoriented.
• Get them a designated driver: if the women in your life have a party to attend, get a trusted friend that’ll drive them to and fro. This person will not only drive them but also alert you if anything goes wrong. Plus, he’ll ensure they don’t leave the venue with a stranger.

The Possibility of Addiction to Date Rape Drugs

The tips on how girls can protect themselves against date rape drugs should offer the women in your life an added security layer. But what about the victims?

Statistics reveal that about 30% of the victims of date rape are more likely to abuse it later. As mentioned earlier, most women are hardly aware of these drugs. For instance, if the ladies close to you constantly attend parties and drink from open containers, there’s every possibility they may unknowingly get addicted to it.

If you discover that a female you know has party drug addiction after a date rape experience, then there’s a need to should seek professional treatment. Addiction will never go away on its own. It has to be dealt with effectively. With treatment, you can mitigate the effects of these substances.

Related Article: Party Drug Addiction: What is it?

The Final Word

Learning how girls can protect themselves against date rape drugs helps to prevent sexual assault. Everyone is susceptible to this crime. It is one that has left many victims with psychological and emotional scars. Keep in mind that this incident is never caused by the victim. The only person responsible for it is the rapist.

Hopefully, this article will assist you in protecting the women around you from this experience. Do you know anyone who’s a victim of date rape? Or you have questions about it? Here at Inspire Change Wellness Addiction Treatment Center, our experts are available to answer any questions you have. Contact us today!