Information about the relationship between substance abuse/use and sexual assault and rape, date rape drugs, what to do if you are raped.

1. Sexual Assault/Rape and Substance Abuse The REACH Center, Inc. 4269 Rt. 9 Hudson, NY 12534 518-828-5556

2. Services Provided by The REACH Center All Services are FREE and Confidential Counseling and support for survivors of all types of crime/abuse/violence and their friends and family Education on the prevention of crime/abuse/violence Advocacy, Accompaniments, Referrals and Information

3. Sexual Assault/Rape 1.8 m of 22.3 m adolescents have been seriously sexually assaulted (8%) 4000 rapes occur in public schools every year 76% of female and 67% of male students report experiencing unwanted sexual activity 42% of girls under 15 report their first intercourse was non-consensual Teens with drug/alcohol problems are 18-21 times more likely to be sexually abused NYSCASA

4. Facts about SA/Rape Sexual assault occurs most commonly among women in late adolescence (Crowell and Burgess 1996). Most sexual assaults that are reported to the police occur between strangers. These assaults, however, represent only a small proportion of all sexual assaults. At least 80 percent of sexual assaults occur among persons who know each other (Crowell and Burgess 1996). Among college students, a typical sexual assault occurs on a date, at either the man's or the woman's home, and is preceded by consensual kissing.

5. What is Sexual Assault? Sexual assault and abuse is any type of sexual activity that you do not agree to, including: inappropriate touching vaginal, anal, or oral penetration sexual intercourse that you say no to rape attempted rape child molestation Sexual assault can be verbal, visual, or anything that forces a person to join in unwanted sexual contact or attention. Examples of this are voyeurism (when someone watches private sexual acts), exhibitionism (when someone exposes him/herself in public), incest (sexual contact between family members), and sexual harassment. It can happen in different situations, by a stranger in an isolated place, on a date, or in the home by someone you know. Department of Health and Human Services 1/05

6. What is Rape? Rape in the 1st- Class E Felony engages in sexual intercourse with a person unable to consent other than being less than 17; being 21 engages in intercourse with a person less than 17; engages in intercourse with someone unable to consent Rape in the 2nd- Class D Felony being 18 engages in intercourse with someone less than 15; engages in intercourse with someone mentally disabled Rape in the 3rd- Class B Felony engages in intercourse by forcible compulsion; less than 11; engages in intercourse with a person less than 13 and is 18 Penal Law of NYS 2004

7. Legal Consequences Sexual assault charges can have a potentially devastating impact on your future—particularly when they result in a conviction. In states throughout the United States, sex crimes carry strict penalties such as imprisonment, restitution to the victims, and mandatory sex offender registration, among other things. Society's outlook on sexual crimes, as well as the media hype which usually surrounds such crimes, has contributed to the serious penalties and punishments a defendant may face. The accused may face severe damage to their personal, professional and social life. The consequences of a sexual assault conviction can include: • Prison sentence • Financial restitution to the victim • Probation/parole • Court ordered counseling • Sex offender registration • AIDS/STD testing Criminal Law Lawyers Source 2008

8. Effects on Survivors Shock and disbelief- “I feel numb” “I can’t believe this happened to me” Flashbacks Intense Emotions Physical Symptoms Feeling Fearful Self-blame and shame So. Conn State University 2007

9. What to do if you are assaulted Get to a safe place Don’t bathe, shower, change clothes, clean up Call a friend, family member, or The REACH Center Seek Medical care at ER or Dr Remember the assault was not your fault Discuss your feelings You do not have to go through it alone

10. Ways to Prevent Rape No means no-accept the person’s decision Don’t assume that coercion is acceptable Being turned down is not a personal rejection Know basic information about your date Avoid isolated/dangerous places Be aware of nonverbal actions Be assertive Trust your intuitions Know your sexual limits Avoid excessive use of alcohol/drugs

11. Date Rape The term "date rape" is widely used. But most experts prefer the term "drug-facilitated sexual assault." These drugs also are used to help people commit other crimes, like robbery and physical assault. They are used on both men and women. The term "date rape" also can be misleading because the person who commits the crime might not be dating the victim. Rather, it could be an acquaintance or stranger. Department of Health and Human Services 2008

12. What are date rape drugs? These are drugs that are sometimes used to assist a sexual assault. These drugs are powerful and dangerous. They can be slipped into your drink when you are not looking. The drugs often have no color, smell, or taste, so you can't tell if you are being drugged. The drugs can make you become weak and confused — or even pass out — so that you are unable to refuse sex or defend yourself. If you are drugged, you might not remember what happened while you were drugged. Date rape drugs are used on both females and males. These drugs also are known as "club drugs" because they tend to be used at dance clubs, concerts, and "raves." Department of Health and Human Services 2008

13. Types of Date Rape Drugs Rohypnol (roh-HIP-nol). Rohypnol is the trade name for flunitrazepam (FLOO-neye-TRAZ-uh-pam). Abuse of two similar drugs appears to have replaced Rohypnol abuse in some parts of the United States. These are: clonazepam (marketed as Klonopin in the U.S.andRivotril in Mexico) and alprazolam (marketed as Xanax). GHB, which is short for gamma hydroxybutyric (GAM-muhheye-DROX-ee-BYOO-tur-ihk) acid. Ketamine(KEET-uh-meen) Department of Health and Human Services 2008

14. Is alcohol a date rape drug? What about other drugs? Any drug that can affect judgment and behavior can put a person at risk for unwanted or risky sexual activity. Alcohol is one such drug. In fact, alcohol is the drug most commonly used to help commit sexual assault. When a person drinks too much alcohol: It's harder to think clearly. It's harder to set limits and make good choices. It's harder to tell when a situation could be dangerous. It's harder to say "no" to sexual advances. It's harder to fight back if a sexual assault occurs. It's possible to blackout and to have memory loss. The club drug "ecstasy" (MDMA) has been used to commit sexual assault. It can be slipped into someone's drink without the person's knowledge. Also, a person who willingly takes ecstasy is at greater risk of sexual assault. Ecstasy can make a person feel "lovey-dovey" towards others. It also can lower a person's ability to give reasoned consent. Once under the drug's influence, a person is less able to sense danger or to resist a sexual assault. The Department of Health and Human Services 2008

15. Even if a victim of sexual assault drank alcohol or willingly took drugs, the victim is NOT at fault for being assaulted. You cannot "ask for it" or cause it to happen.

16. Are there ways to tell if I might have been drugged and raped? It is often hard to tell. Most victims don't remember being drugged or assaulted. The victim might not be aware of the attack until 8 or 12 hours after it occurred. These drugs also leave the body very quickly. Once a victim gets help, there might be no proof that drugs were involved in the attack. But there are some signs that you might have been drugged: You feel drunk and haven't drunk any alcohol — or, you feel like the effects of drinking alcohol are stronger than usual. You wake up feeling very hung over and disoriented or having no memory of a period of time. You remember having a drink, but cannot recall anything after that. You find that your clothes are torn or not on right. You feel like you had sex, but you cannot remember it.

17. How can I protect myself from date rape drugs? Don't accept drinks from other people. Open containers yourself. Keep your drink with you at all times, even when you go to the bathroom. Don't share drinks. Don't drink from punch bowls or other common, open containers. They may already have drugs in them. If someone offers to get you a drink from a bar or at a party, go with the person to order your drink. Watch the drink being poured and carry it yourself. Don't drink anything that tastes or smells strange. Sometimes, GHB tastes salty. Have a nondrinking friend with you to make sure nothing happens. If you realize you left your drink unattended, pour it out. If you feel drunk and haven't drunk any alcohol — or, if you feel like the effects of drinking alcohol are stronger than usual — get help right away.

18. Myth and Facts about Rape Myth A woman who gets raped usually deserves it, especially if she has agreed to go to a man's house or park with him. If a woman agrees to allow a man to pay for dinner, drinks, etc., then it means she owes him sex. Acquaintance rape is committed by men who are easy to identify as rapists. Women who don't fight back haven't been raped. Intimate kissing or certain kinds of touching mean that intercourse is inevitable. Once a man reaches a certain point of arousal, sex is inevitable and they can't help forcing themselves upon a woman. Most women lie about acquaintance rape because they have regrets after consensual sex. Women who say "No" really mean "Yes.“ Certain behaviors such as drinking or dressing in a sexually appealing way make rape a woman's responsibility. Fact No one deserves to be raped. Being in a man's house or car does not mean that a woman has agreed to have sex with him. Sex is not an implied payback for dinner or other expense no matter how much money has been spent. Women are often raped by "normal" acquaintances who resemble "regular guys.“ Rape occurs when one is forced to have sex against their will, whether they have decided to fight back or not. Everyone's right to say "no" should be honored, regardless of the activity which preceded it. Men are capable of exercising restraint in acting upon sexual urges. Acquaintance rape really happens - to people you know, by people you know. This notion is based on rigid and outdated sexual stereotypes. Drinking or dressing in a sexually appealing way are not invitations for sex.