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Rape: Booze takes most blame
18/11/2006 23:12 - (SA)
Bonnie Parker and Reuters
Pietermaritzburg - Only a fraction of alleged drug-assisted rape survivors in England tested positive for date-rape drugs, while almost all had been drinking, a police study has found.
According to Lifeline and Rape Crisis, this also could apply to Pietermaritzburg.
None of the 120 cases of alleged drug rape examined by the Association of Chief Police Officers in England showed evidence of the notorious "date-rape drug", Rohypnol, according to the report. Just two victims had traces of GHB, another date-rape drug.
The study said these findings suggested Rohypnol, synonymous in many quarters with the phrase "date-rape drug", might not be the threat it was believed to be.
Most said they had been drinking
Those who took part in the study had reported rapes within 72 hours, but GHB, or gamma-hydroxybutyrate, can be detected only up to 12 hours after being taken.
In contrast, Rohypnol stays in the system for up to 72 hours.
A spokesperson said, however, that 119 of the 120 survivors who were tested said they had been drinking.
"In most cases, the alleged victims had consumed alcohol voluntarily and, in some cases, to dangerous levels,? Said the spokesperson.
Among other results, 48% of survivors showed traces of controlled or prescribed drugs, as well as cannabis and cocaine.
A combination of drugs and alcohol would exacerbate intoxication, making a person more vulnerable, the study founf.
The director of Lifeline and Rape Crisis in Pietermaritzburg, Debbie Harrison, confirmed that this could also hold true for Maritzburg.
She said that of 776 cases of rape recorded in a study at the Northdale crisis centre, roughly 49% could be identified as date related.
Of the 776 cases, only 5% were drug-related - probably Rohypnol or generic equivalents.
She said alcohol tests were not done on all the patients, so was difficult to tell how many had been drinking.
However, of the 776 cases, only 0,7% occurred at a club or bar, with a further 9% in public places.
Drugs and drink act faster
"It seems that most drinks that are spiked contain alcohol," said Harrison.
"Not all spiked drinks have alcohol, but the girl is less likely to taste the drug if the drink has alcohol, too, and the drug will take effect even faster.?
She also said predators often didn't need to use a drug because the survivor had had so much to drink.
As a result, Rape Crisis often went to schools to speak to girls about the dangers of alcohol.
- The Witness
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