7 things to know about drug-facilitated sexual assault
If you or a friend is concerned that a drug-facilitated sexual assault has happened, you can reach out to OVA for free and confidential support.Ìý
Sexual assaults are often carried out by friends, acquaintances, partners, exes or by a person someone has just met online or at a party. Perpetrators often rely on substances (with or without the other person’s knowledge) to commit sexual assault.ÌýÌý
Here are seven things you should know about drug-facilitated sexual assault and drink spiking.
1. What is drug-facilitated sexual assault?
The blame for sexual assault rests with the person who committed the assault.ÌýÌý
Many survivors have feelings of self-blame after a sexual assault, including when someone takes advantage of them through the use of alcohol or other drugs. It’s important to remember that even when someone chooses to use substances, they are not giving up their bodily autonomy or choosing to be violated.Ìý
There are two primary ways that drug-facilitated sexual assault occurs.Ìý
- A person takes advantage of someone’s voluntary use of alcohol or other drugs.Ìý
- A person intentionally forces someone to consume alcohol or other drugs with or without their knowledge to manipulate the situation and commit sexual assault. This can include tactics like spiking drinks.Ìý
2. What should you look out for?
If you’re at a party or out with friends, it’s important to keep an eye out for sketchy situations that may indicate that someone is trying to facilitate sexual assault by using alcohol or other drugs.Ìý
Watch out for someone who is:Ìý
- Coercing or pressuring someone to drink more or to take more drugs than they are comfortable with. This might sound like “Come one, take another shot.â€Ìý
- Initiating sexual contact with someone because they are intoxicated.Ìý
- Isolating someone from their friends or the rest of the party.Ìý
- Not telling someone what is in their drink or the type of dosage of drug they are ingesting. This might sound like “It will taste good; don’t worry about what’s in it.â€Ìý
3. What are some common signs of a drugged drink?
Many symptoms of drugging are similar to those someone might experience from excessive drinking or purposefully mixing substances. Often, there is a sudden change in how someone feels or behaves. These symptoms typically occur quickly even when someone has consumed very little or no alcohol, and can be intensified if they were already under the influenceÌý
Signs of drugging to watch for:Ìý
- Sudden onset of feeling drunk without having had much or any alcoholÌý
- Sudden difficulty breathingÌý
- Sudden dizziness, disorientation or blurred visionÌý
- Sudden nauseaÌý
- Sudden body temperature that may result in sweating or teeth chatteringÌý
- Waking up with no memory or missing large portions of memoryÌý
4. What should you do if you believe someone has been drugged?
You do not need to know if what you are witnessing is the outcome of a drugged drink, overdose, or alcohol poisoning to be able to offer help. If you notice any of the symptoms listed above in yourself or someone else, find a trusted person immediately. If someone is losing consciousness, put them in the recovery position.Ìý
Friends and bystanders are particularly important in situations when someone is vulnerable due to intoxication. Stay with the person you are concerned about. If they are alert enough to leave the party or bar, use the buddy system to try and get them home or to emergency care.ÌýÌý
If someone tells you after the fact that they can’t remember what happened during a night out or that their drink was drugged, offer support. You can validate how that must feel for them and aka their lead on how they might want to move forward.ÌýÌý
5. What are some medical options?
Find support resources or a medical center that can provide medical forensic exams for sexual assault and test blood and/or urine for substances.Ìý
- CU Medical Services at Wardenburg Health Center provides urine testing for drugs, pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).Ìý
- The two local hospitals with 24/7 nurses trained in medical forensic exams can be found here.Ìý
If someone suspects that they have been drugged, steps can be taken to preserve evidence for a possible criminal investigation. Many of these drugs leave the body quickly (typically within 12 to 72 hours). If someone can’t go to the hospital immediately, they can save their urine in a clean, sealable container as soon as possible and place it in the fridge. ÌýUrine drug screen samples are stable at room temperature for up to 36 hours. However, if the sample is not tested immediately, it should be refrigerated at 2-8 degrees Celsius for a maximum of four days.Ìý
6. What substances can be used to facilitate sexual assault?
Alcohol is the most used substance in drug-facilitated sexual assault.Ìý
Other substances can also be slipped into alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks. This is often referred to as drink spiking. Many drugs do not change the color, flavor, or odor of the beverage.Ìý
Substances that are often used to spike drinks include:Ìý
- Prescription drugs like sleep aids, anxiety medication, muscle relaxers and/or tranquilizers.Ìý
- Over- the- counter medications like Benadryl, which can increase intoxication when mixed with alcohol.Ìý
- Street drugs like GHB, Rohypnol (‘roofies’), ecstasy, molly and/or ketamine (K).Ìý
7. What support resources are available?
If someone believes that they have been drugged or sexually assaulted, there are resources available to help.Ìý
Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) - Confidential resourceÌýÌýÌý
OVA provides free and confidential information, consultation, support, advocacy and short-term, trauma-focused counseling services for students, staff and faculty who have experienced and/or witnessed a traumatic or disturbing event, including sexual assault, physical assault, and/or drugging.Ìý
Don’t Ignore ItÌý
The Don’t Ignore It website provides information about reporting, getting support and helping a friend. If something feels wrong, it probably is. Don’t ignore it.Ìý
PoliceÌý
To have a case investigated by law enforcement, contact the police department where the experience happened. If it happens on campus or one is not sure about the jurisdiction, contact CU Boulder Police (CUPD) for support. For emergencies, call or text 911. The CUPD non-emergency line is 303-492-6666 or visit the website.Ìý
Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC)Ìý
OIEC implements and enforces university policies around sexual assault, intimate partner abuse and stalking, and other forms of sexual misconduct. If you or someone you know at CU has been impacted, reports can be filed online. Anonymously reporting is an option as well.Ìý
Support for international students, staff and facultyÌý
Individuals who have experienced certain crimes, such as sexual assault or domestic violence, may be eligible for U.S. immigration relief through the or , regardless of their immigration status. Please speak with an immigration attorney or a non-profit organization that assists immigrants to learn more about the eligibility requirements, application process, and timeline. Learn more about .ÌýÌýÌý