Georgina Lennon :: Date Rape...

A TERRIFYING number of women are falling pray to date rape drugs in Irvine nightspots.

It has been brought to the Irvine Times attention that on numerous occasions women believe they have been spiked during a night out in the town.

Predators within the town are thought to have been using date rape drugs like Rohypnol to render their victims incapable of saying no. One young female who believes she has been affected has told of her terrifying ordeal: “After a few drinks at the pub my friends and I decided to go to the club for a dance. “From the time we arrived the bouncers where giving us grief.”

“They where obviously trying to chat us up but in my opinion they went a step too far. “They where crude and where making sexual innuendos towards us – it was disgusting.” “Never the less we still went into the club, which proved to be a huge mistake.”

She added: “While in the club I remember having a few drinks and the rest of the night is a blur. “I left the club and vaguely remember heading over to the taxi rank and falling to the ground.”

“There where no taxis there so I phoned my mum to come get me. “While waiting for my mum I kind of remember some guy talking to me and asking me to go for a walk with him.”

“At that point the police arrived and asked me to get in, warning me not to anywhere with the guy who approached me. “I dread to think what would have happened to me if the police hadn’t arrived when they did. “The whole idea is terrifying – I never thought this could happen to me.”

Another young woman has also come forward with a scarily similar account of what happened to her at the same nightspot.

She said: “During the Bank Holiday weekend a friend and I had gone out for dinner and then decided to go to a club in the town to finish the night off. “I had a two glasses of wine with dinner and one drink in the club.” She added: “I remember going into the club and talking with a few friends and then getting a drink – that’s the last thing I remember. “I have no memory of leaving the club or how I got home.” “It is terrifying to think about what I might have said or done during that time.

“When I got home my brother instantly knew something was wrong so called for my dad – I was hyperventilating and hallucinating.” “When I awoke the next morning I had a pounding headache, it was as if someone was drilling in the side of my head – I still had the headache days later.” “I was anxious, paranoid and most worryingly had no memory of the night before.

“I am now terrified to be out in a club and am constantly paranoid and aware of the threat it might happen again.”

Strathclyde Police spokeswoman, Shona Kirby said: “"We are acutely aware that in common with other sexual crimes, drug assisted sexual assault is under reported to the police.

“Therefore we would urge anybody who has been or suspects they have been a victim of such a crime to contact us immediately.”

Predators use date rape drugs because they are virtually undetectable – they are tasteless, odourless and colourless.

Date Rape drugs are easily slipped into drinks and are extremely fast acting.
Within 20 minutes of being spiked, Rohypnol (most commonly used) will start to take effect and when mixed with alcohol the effects of the drug last up to 36 hours.

All traces of the drug will leave your system within 72 hours of you being spiked and are not found in a routine drug test.

It renders victims unconscious but responsive enough to play the role in what is happening to them. Many victims have no idea they have been raped, and if they are aware, make poor witness to what happened.

This is why, if for any reason, you suspect you may have been spiked you must seek help immediately. Doctors and police will have to work quickly in order to prove the drug has ever been in your system.

So how do you know if you have fallen victim to a rape using date rape drugs?

1. The important thing to know is that if you have sex but cannot remember doing so or giving your consent, you have, under the law, been raped.
2.  Some signs of sexual activity haven taken place include, bruising of genital area, bruising on inner/outer thighs, fluids on your clothing/bedding.
3. As the drug makes the victim act without inhibition, people who were around you may have noticed you acting out of character.
4. You may feel extremely hung over, although you may have only had a few drinks
5. You may have hallucinations or very real dreams

Short of being told you have been spiked with date rape drugs, there unfortunately is no sure way to know without medical testing. Therefore if you suspect you may have been assaulted go to the nearest hospital and ask for a sexual assault exam with testing for date rape drugs, as an ordinary sexual assault exam does not include the testing as standard.

To protect yourself always follow these simple rules:

1. Don’t accept open drinks from strangers or people you don’t know
2. When in bars or clubs always get your own drink directly from the bartender and don’t take your eyes of them
3. At parties only accept drinks in closed bottles, cans etc
4. If you leave your drink sitting unattended, dispose of it and get a fresh o
5. Never leave your drinks unattended or turn your back on your table
6. Do not drink from open sources like punch bowls, pitchers or tubs
7. Keep your eyes and ears open – if there is talk of date rape drugs or if a friend seems ‘too intoxicated’ for what they have drank, leave the premises immediately and contact the police.

Hoffman-Roche, the makers or Rohypnol, took preventative steps in 1998 to help make it easier to detect the drug. It now contains a blue dye that will appear when it is added to any drink, it also takes longer to dissolve and although some measures are being taken to prevent the misuse of the drug, it by no means decreases their danger.

Counterfeit versions of this drug are widely available, so therefore always have your wits about you, buy your own drink and have a great night out – the safe way!