A study and analysis of date rape

Date rape is a common problem facing women in today's society. Date rape is a form of sexual violence and is not a woman's fault if she happens to fall victim of date rape. The two forms of rape are acquaintance rape and the well known date rape.

The main causes of date rape are drugs which come in different forms and have different names. There are many ways to prevent date rape; however, there are also ways to receive help if a woman fall victim to date rape.The major rape is "date rape" in which the victim and the assailant are acquainted in some way. When forced sex occurs between two people who already know each other it is known as date rape or acquaintance rape. Even though rape involves forced sex, rape is not about sex or passion.

Rape is an act of aggression and violence. Rape is never the victims fault; it is always the rapist fault.While doing this research, studies showed that sixty percent of date rape cases happened to girls that are in college (Schwartz 20). According to Jon Schwartz, the majority of young girls that are being raped in college are being raped by men in fraternities.

Many campus parties are promoted by the fraternities and alcohol and drugs are always involved. Frat men can easily take advantage of women at these parties because the majority of people are under the influence of drugs. Men can easily slip something in the women's drink or get her drugged to take advantage of her.Another easy way to become a victim of date rape is at clubs.

Everybody goes to the club and speaking from experience there be a lot of people drinking and getting drunk. When a man buys a woman a drink this is an easy scheme to simply slip something in her drink without her knowing. Once the woman is incapacitated she is than sexually assaulted. After being drugged the victim is left in a helpless or unconscious state, they cannot escape, resist, or call for help.The main causes of date rape are the drugs that are used to make the victims unconscious, helpless and resentful. Alcohol is often involved in date rapes.

Drinking can loosen inhibitions, dull common sense, and for some people allow aggressive tendencies to surface. Drugs play a major role in date rape also. The three main date rape drugs are rohypnol, gamma-hydroxyl butyrate, and ecstasy.

Drugs like these can easily be mixed in drinks to make a person black out and forget things that happen.The first and most common drug is rohypnol but some people may know or refer to this drug as "roofies". Rohypnol is a strong sedative which is similar to the drug valium, but is ten times stronger than valium (Lyness). The pill is similar in shape, size, and color to aspirin. Rohypnol is a small white tablet that is single or cross-scored on one side and has the word "Roche" on the other side.

It also has a circled numeral one or two on it. Rohypnol can easily be dissolved in juice, coffee, carbonated and alcoholic beverages. It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless when dissolved in any liquid. The effects of this drug are enhanced when mixed with alcohol.

When rohypnol is mixed with a drink and drunk it causes sedation, loss of inhibitions, relaxation, blackouts and amnesia. It can also cause respiratory depression, coma, and even death. Also rohypnol causes disorientation or confused sense of time and place and it may relax muscles and motor performance suffers.It is also important to try to stay away from this drug because it will have a person sedated for a long time. The takes effect after about twenty to thirty minutes and effects may last as long as eight to twelve hours. As mentioned before, when combined with alcohol, rohypnol causes severe disorientation and the classic "blackouts" that it is known for.

These blackout periods are typically eight to twelve hours long. The victim may or may not appear awake during this time.There are signs and symptoms of rohypnol that can be an indicator if the victim has been drugged. The victim might feel a lot more intoxicated than usual. The victim may wake up feeling confused, experiencing memory loss and cannot account for a period of time. Sometimes the victim may wake up in a hotel room or stranger's apartment or home.

Lastly the victim took a drink but can't remember what happened after the drink.The second date rape drug is "Gamma Hydroxyl Butyrate." The common name for this drug is known as GHB. GHB is a powerful synthetic drug that acts as a depressant on the central previous system (Lyness). GHB is a newer drug and is not as well known as rohypnol. GHB is an illegally manufactured drug. GHB is considered more dangerous since people can easily mix substances in their kitchen to make the drug and there is no quality control like with FDA approved drugs (alcohol and drugs).

Its effects can be felt within fifteen minutes after ingestion. It is also used the same way someone will use rohypnol on an unknown victim. GHB is usually found in liquid from that is colorless and odorless, as has no taste when mixed in a drink or water. Sometimes there is a salty aftertaste, which is highly depended on how it was produced.

Since the actual amount of GHB is unknown, the risk of toxic effect is great. The signs and symptoms are dizziness, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, memory loss, seizures, coma, and unconscious.The last and most known drug is ecstasy. Ecstasy is a synthetic, speed-like, mind-altering drug that can cause you to hallucinate. Statistics showed that ecstasy has been known to cause death, especially when mixed with alcohol (alcohol and drugs). Also, according to George Kehner, ecstasy related deaths have occurred in several states.

The deaths are usually caused by the assailant overdosing the victim. Ecstasy was reported as a date rape drug by law enforcement agencies in the mid-1980s. (Tattersall 89). Signs and symptoms of ecstasy are anxiety, blurred vision, confusion, heart rate beating very fast, and inability to sleep.Date rape is a serious situation to be caught in so it is important to prevent rape. There are ways and guidelines that women can follow to protect themselves.

Since many assailants persuade their victim with alcohol and drugs, its best to stay sober because this will help the victim stay aware of her surroundings and what's going on around her. Also hang out with a group of friends which can be helpful so they can watch out for each other. A woman should not spend time alone with someone who makes her feel uneasy or uncomfortable.While out at parties or clubs it is important to not accept drinks from other people.

Even if the assailant does not provide the victim with a drink he can still slip drugs in the victim's drink without her knowing. The easiest way is to catch the victim's drink alone at a table unattended. Usually females order drinks than leave the drinks at a table while they dance. So it is important to keep the drink in hand or in sight at all times and do not leave the drink with nobody. According to Andrea Parrot, research as shown that women with low self esteem or show little self defense are more likely to be victims of rape.

Women should attend self defense classes to learn how to defend themselves.Although women can take certain procedures to prevent date rape, there is still a chance that a woman might fall victim to date rape. Some victims of rape are scared to come forward and get help. There is always cases that show a woman who is raped but do not come forward to tell her story until some years later.

The reasons may be from lack of taking a stand, no one to tell, or just simply embarrassed. It do not matter how scared a woman is or how much pride she has, it important to report a rape case especially to get the assailant off the street.Sometimes a woman might try to prevent rape but still fall a victim. For example, Andrea Parrot did case studies of women who were date raped. In one of her books there was a story of a girl who tried to get away from her assailant but feared her life.

In the article the young lady stated "she feared for her life and safety and her assailant had her trapped in the woods" (Parrot 31). This is a prime example of a woman trying to prevent rape but still couldn't defend herself.Unfortunately, even if someone takes every precaution, date rape can still happen. However, there are some things that can be done receive help.

It is important to go straight to the emergency room to get examined and from there the victim can report the rape. When reporting the rape the victim should save all physical evidence. One should remember as much as she can about the event to have more evidence. Lastly try to get a clear description of the assailant because if he gets away with one rape he will certainly do it again.The effects of rape are emotional as well as physical.

The victim may experience loss of trust in oneself and others, especially if the woman knew the assailant. She may lose confidence in her ability to judge a person's character. The woman may become fearful to many situations particularly those that are new to her. According to Scott Lindquist, depression and anxiety are common after effects of rape, adding feelings of helpless that a woman may already be experiencing.

She may feel guilty or ashamed, blaming herself for the attack.Rape is not just physically damaging it can be emotionally traumatic as well. It may be hard to think or talk about something as personal as being raped. Talking with a rape crisis counselor or other mental health professionals can give the victim the right emotional attention, care, and support to begin the healing process. Working things through can help prevent traumatic problems later on in the future.

Date rape can happen to anyone and it is a problem that is facing women in today's society. There are measures that a woman can take to prevent rape but if she becomes a victim she should seek help for her safety and the safety of other women.