Date Rape
Acquaintance/Date Rape is any sexual act that is forced upon you by someone you know.
Rape is NOT an expression of sexual desire but of other non-sexual needs. Rape is being forced to perform a sexual act against your will and without your consent. It is an act of violence, intimidation, power, aggression, and control.
Rape is sudden and terrifying. It happens to both women and men. It occurs in all neighborhoods, social classes, religions and ethnic backgrounds.
Rape can be committed by a stranger, but
more often the perpetrator is someone the victim has known
and trusted.
Rape can involve force or the very threat of force. Rape can also happen when a person is persuaded or coerced into performing sexual acts. The victim does not have to be threatened with a dangerous weapon or be injured for an incident to be considered rape.
Many statues now define rape as nonconsensual sexual penetration by physical force, by threat of bodily harm, or when the victim is incapable of giving consent by virtue of mental illness, mental retardation, or intoxication. Legally, acquaintance/date rape carries the same penalties as sexual assault committed by a stranger.
Rape causes severe emotional stress. The emotional effects of acquaintance/date rape have devastating effects that may last throughout the survivor's life time. Some of these after-effects include:
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Loss of self confidence |
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Anxiety |
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Poor concentration |
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Self-blame |
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Nightmares |
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Stress related illness |
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Fear |
Rape can happen to anyone at any time in any place. Date rapes often occur when others are relatively close by. Acquaintance rape at parties may be perpetrated by more than one offender.
Societal views on sexual relationships between men and women play a significant role in acquaintance/date rape. Many young women who are victims of attacks that meet the legal definitions of rape do not think that what happened to them is rape (Warshaw). Men sometimes believe that women say no to sex when they really mean maybe or yes. The best hope of ending acquaintance/date rape is through educational programs in which young people are taught that women and men should be treated with respect and have the right to say "no" to sex in any situation.
KNOW THIS... If you say "NO" and that is not honored, it is rape. YOUR BODY BELONGS TO YOU. YOU DECIDE THE KIND OF PHYSICAL CONTACT YOU HAVE WITH SOMEONE.
Acquaintance/date rape is not simply motivated by passion, sexual desire or miscommunication; it is often an attempt to assert power and/or anger. Although acquaintance rape may be a spontaneous act, most such rapes are planned hours or even days in advance.
Alcohol & Drugs
Using alcohol and/or drugs increases the risk of acquaintance/date rape. Use of alcohol and/or drugs is often used as an excuse for the rapist's behavior; however, the victim is often blamed if she has been using alcohol and/or drugs.
Recently, some powerful, odorless and tasteless drugs have been used to sedate potential rape victims without their knowledge. These so-called "DATE RAPE DRUGS," such as Rohypnol and GHB, also known as "Ruffies, Roachies, LaRocha, Liquiq X, Special K and The Forget Pill" dissolve quickly in drinks and can be consumed without detection. They cause extreme intoxication, reduced inhibitions, and short-term memory loss. For protection, do not take any beverages from anyone you do not know well and trust. At a party, bar or club, do not leave beverages unattended.
How To protect yourself from DATE RAPE DRUGS:
STAY SOBER. Alcohol and drugs correlate highly with rape. If you are assaulted when drunk or high, do not hesitate to get help. It is still not your fault and is a crime
REDUCING YOUR RISKS
| Know that you have the right to say no. |
| Be aware of and express your feelings assertively. |
| Say no when you mean no; say yes when you mean yes. |
| If you feel threatened, take action and get away. |
| Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it probably is. |
| Be alert to what's going on around you. |
| Develop relationships with people who treat others with respect. |
| Be aware of the role that alcohol and drugs can play. |
Learn and use self-defense techniques. Your chances of preventing rape improve if you resist, scream, fight back, or run.
If you don't resist, scream, fight back, or run, IT IS STILL RAPE!!
Facts
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One out of every six American women have been the victims of an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime (14.8% completed rape; 2.8% attempted rape). A total of 17.7 million women have been victims of these crimes. (Prevalence, Incidence and Consequences of Violence Against Women Survey, National Institute of Justice and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1998) |
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In 2002, seven out of every eight rape victims were female. (NCVS 2002) |
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In 2002, there were 247,730 victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault. Of these approximately, 248,000 victims, about 87,000 were victims of completed rape, 70,000 were victims of attempted rape, and 91,000 were victims of sexual assault. (2002 NCVS) |
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In 2001, only 39% of rapes and sexual assaults were reported to law enforcement officials - about 1 in every three. (2002 NCVS) |
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Age 12 - 34 are the highest risk years. Risk peaks in the late teens: Women 16 to 19 are four times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault. (2000 NCVS) |
More information on acquaintance/date rape can be found on the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault website www.achiever.com/freehmpg/ncas or RAINN (Rape Abuse & Incest National Network website www.rainn.org or call SCCFF at 1-800-265-0415