DATE RAPE

Date Rape

Date Rape

Introduction

Date rape is a common crime and often occurs on college campuses. Anywhere from 35-75% of all rapes against women are committed by an acquaintance during 2008. It is also one of the least reported crimes. Here are some rape statistics within the U.S. face during the year 2008. 84% of women who were date raped knew their attacker. However, women who are 16-24 are more than four times as likely to be date raped. There were 90% of date rapes occur when either the victim or attacker was drinking. 33% of men said they would date rape someone if it could go undetected. As compared to, 44% of women who were date raped have considered suicide. Date Rape is the act of forcing sex on a date. Date Rape remains a serious offense in today's uneducated society. It can happen to anyone, with the motive of having sexual intentions with someone who rejects the advance, or is unclear of the motive of the perpetrator's advances that lead up to the initial theme, in our case date rape. Date Rape happens for four main reasons, which are misread signals and expectations fueled by alcohol and drug use, uncontrollable sexual desires, stress and typical stereotypes of pushy males and passive females (Levy 2008).

This paper discusses the types of drugs that are most commonly used in date rape situations, common stereotypes and myths of date rape, lastly, certain situations that may lead to a date rape.

Part I

A.      Discuss the types of drugs that are most commonly used in date rape situations.

Two drugs often referred to as date-rape drugs are GHB, also known as gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, and benzodiazepines (such as flunitrazepam, also known as Rohypnol or "roofies"). Alcohol remains the most commonly used date rape drug, being readily available as well as legal. Many assailants use alcohol because their victims often willingly imbibe it, and can be encouraged to drink enough to lose inhibitions or consciousness. Benzodiazepines are drugs used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and several other conditions. Some benzodiazepines used to treat insomnia possess powerful sedative, motor-impairing, and strong amnestic properties. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has effects that are very similar to those of alcohol (Parrot 2009).

B.      Discuss how the drugs are administered to the victims of these crimes.

 The drugs are virtually undetectable; they are tasteless, odorless and colorless. All traces of the drugs will leave the body within 72 hours of ingestion and are not found in any routine toxicology screen or blood test - doctors and police have to be looking specifically for them and they have to look quickly. They make the victim unconscious, but responsive with little or no memory of what happens while the drug is active in their system. Like most drugs, date rape drugs make a person incapable of thinking clearly or of making appropriate decisions(Aggrawal 2009).

Part II

A.      Discuss the common stereotypes that are used with the subject of date rape.

The belief that most rapes are perpetrated by a stranger against ...