Undetectable danger: Rohypnol and sexual assault
Reena Besa
Issue date: 9/24/02 Section: Features
The symptoms of rohypnol drugging vary widely and can include "headaches, muscle pain, tension, restlessness, extreme anxiety, confusion, hallucinogen, confusion, shock, cardio vascular collapse," says Parrent.
Parrent also says that friends of rohypnol victims often notice a sudden change in the victims behaviour.
"Sometimes people get easily irritated, [they have] angry outbursts without very much provocation, and they can become very aggressive at times too."
Parrent says she is frequently asked how party-goers can prevent becoming a victim of rohypnol, particularly when they may have already been drinking, or when the bar is dark.
"You should never let your drink out of your sight, put your hand over the bottle opening, or your hands cupped over the glass, then you know its safe," says Parrent. "Watch the bartender open your drink, then you are pretty safe, as far as you are not taking your eyes off of him when they are making the drinks for you."
Since rohypnol causes memory loss, usually leaving victims with little or no memory of what took place, victims are often hesitant to come forward. With their memory foggy and their stories filled with holes, they tend to fear that no one will believe them. Parrent reassures victims that their complaint will be taken seriously and the police will work to fill in any memory gaps.
"They will be able to piece it together. Your family or friends will know what time you set out, somebody will remember you, whether you were at a bar or night club," says Parrent. "We can put it all together just like a jigsaw puzzle.
"Sexual assault is sexual activity which occurs when one person has not consented to the act," says Carolyn Brenden, Brock's sexual harassment advisor.
"Date rape is usually done by someone who the victim usually knows. Sexual assault is what happens during a date rape," adds Parrent.
While some may assume that being sexually assaulted by a stranger would be more emotionally distressing for the victim, than "date rape," the opposite is actually true. When the attacker is a person the victim knows and trusts, the victim did not think of themselves as being at risk and they are likely to let their guard down.
Parrent also says that friends of rohypnol victims often notice a sudden change in the victims behaviour.
"Sometimes people get easily irritated, [they have] angry outbursts without very much provocation, and they can become very aggressive at times too."
Parrent says she is frequently asked how party-goers can prevent becoming a victim of rohypnol, particularly when they may have already been drinking, or when the bar is dark.
"You should never let your drink out of your sight, put your hand over the bottle opening, or your hands cupped over the glass, then you know its safe," says Parrent. "Watch the bartender open your drink, then you are pretty safe, as far as you are not taking your eyes off of him when they are making the drinks for you."
Since rohypnol causes memory loss, usually leaving victims with little or no memory of what took place, victims are often hesitant to come forward. With their memory foggy and their stories filled with holes, they tend to fear that no one will believe them. Parrent reassures victims that their complaint will be taken seriously and the police will work to fill in any memory gaps.
"They will be able to piece it together. Your family or friends will know what time you set out, somebody will remember you, whether you were at a bar or night club," says Parrent. "We can put it all together just like a jigsaw puzzle.
"Sexual assault is sexual activity which occurs when one person has not consented to the act," says Carolyn Brenden, Brock's sexual harassment advisor.
"Date rape is usually done by someone who the victim usually knows. Sexual assault is what happens during a date rape," adds Parrent.
While some may assume that being sexually assaulted by a stranger would be more emotionally distressing for the victim, than "date rape," the opposite is actually true. When the attacker is a person the victim knows and trusts, the victim did not think of themselves as being at risk and they are likely to let their guard down.
