Date-rape drugs may not be as prevalent as first thought, research has found.
An Association of Chief Police Officers study has found many victims of sexual assault may have just been very drunk.
In 120 cases from November 2004 to October 2005, it found no link to the date-rape drug Rohypnol and only found evidence of the drug GHB in two cases.
In all 10 were suspected drug-assisted assaults involving sedatives or other drugs. The government said: "Rape is never the victim's fault."
A Home Office spokeswoman said the research added to the government's "understanding of the role of drugs and alcohol in rape".
"The government is working to put rape victims' needs first and to make it easier to bring rapists to justice.
"Rape is an appalling crime, which is never the victim's fault," she said.
She added that nearly £6.7m had been invested over the past three years in services for victims of sexual violence.
The study - thought to be the first of its size into drug rape - involved the Metropolitan, Greater Manchester, Derbyshire, Northumbria and Lancashire police forces as well as the Walsall area of the West Midlands Police.
The findings also revealed 119 of the 120 alleged victims admitted they had been drinking alcohol and forensic tests discovered evidence of alcohol in 52% of cases.
"In most cases, the alleged victims had consumed alcohol voluntarily and, in some cases, to dangerous levels," an Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) spokesman said.
Drug-assisted assaults
"The report does not seek to deny or neutralise the incidence of drug-facilitated sexual assault but merely view the topic in the context of alcohol and other related issues."
The organisation's analysis also discovered 22 alleged victims were two to three times above the legal drink-drive alcohol limit.
Of the 120 people examined, 57 had traces of controlled or prescribed drugs in their systems, including cannabis in 20% of cases, cocaine in 17% and amphetamines (including Ecstasy) in 9%, said Acpo.
In a total of 41 cases, one alleged victim had taken alcohol and illegal drugs, eight had taken alcohol and prescribed drugs and seven had consumed all three.
The report also concluded only "limited traces" of GHB, or gamma-hydroxybutyrate, were involved in the cases.
Teens 16 to 19 are three and one-half times more
likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault.
Advice on a night out.
* Plan your journey or night out.
* Make sure that someone knows where you are going and what time you will be home.
* Arrange your journey to and from home.
* When going to a pub, club or party avoid going alone. Friends can watch out for each other.
* Appoint a nominated drinks-watcher.
* Remember, alcohol does affect your actions and your reactions as well as your ability to be alert.
* Stay aware of what is going on around you and away from situations that you do not feel comfortable with.
* Never accept a drink from anyone you do not completely trust.
* Do not share or exchange drinks.
* Don't leave your drink unattended, even when going to the toilet.
* Consider very carefully whether you should leave the pub, club or party with someone you have just met.
* If you begin to feel really drunk after only a drink or two seek help from a trusted friend or a member of the club or pub management. It is important to get to a place of safety as soon as possible.
* You must be sure you have absolute trust in the person you seek help from no matter how long you have known them.
Procedure the police takes after rape allegation is made.
First Steps
The police are responsible for investigating the crime committed against you. First, we will need to ask you some details:
* Your name and address.
* When and where you were assaulted.
* Whatever you can tell us about the attacker (what they looked or sounded like, what they were wearing, how old they were, etc) or even if you know who they are. We want to be able to pass on a description so police officers on patrol can be looking out for them.
We understand that you may find it painful or embarrassing to talk about what happened, but it is important that you tell the police everything you can.
You will be able to talk in private at the police station and the officer you talk to will be specially trained. The police use special examination suites with a comfortable room to rest in, a medical examination room and a bathroom where you can have a bath or shower after the medical examination. Toiletries are provided and we will give you a change of clothes whenever possible.
If you have already had a wash or changed your clothes before going to the police, you should tell them. You should bring the clothes you were wearing when you were attacked with you.
Ask the police officers to explain any words they use or anything about the way they do things that isn’t clear to you
Use the space at the back of this booklet to write down the names and telephone numbers of the police officers (and anyone else) who are helping you. You will want to be able to talk to them if later on you remember anything that might be important or if you have any more questions.
The medical examination
You will be asked to give your permission to being examined by a doctor. They will be looking for forensic evidence as well as to see if you need treatment for any injuries. They have been specially trained for this kind of examination. Above all, that means they understand that you need to be treated with care and sympathy. The doctor will usually see you in a special room for victims at the police station or in a hospital but sometimes it may be at their surgery.
The police will make every effort to respect any preference you might have as to the gender of the doctor who will see you. In most cases this will be a woman, but we will do our best to locate a male doctor for you, if you would prefer. If this is not possible we will discuss the alternatives with you. You will have everything about the examination explained to you first.
You will also be able to say if you would prefer a man or woman photographer if we have to take photographs of any cuts or bruises or injuries for evidence. Police photographers are specially trained to respect your feelings.
Your health afterwards
Pregnancy
One of the very distressing things about sexual assault is that, if you are a woman, it might result in pregnancy. The doctor who examines you after your assault will talk to you about your fears and if wanted and appropriate will offer you what is known as the 'morning-after pill' and any other appropriate medical information or treatment.
If your period is late, it is best to have a pregnancy test. Stress, tension and worry can cause you have a late period, and this does happen sometimes to women who have been sexually assaulted, but it is best to seek medical help anyway. We will help you to arrange this if you want us to.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
For both men and women the possibility of sexually transmitted infections can be a worry if you have been assaulted. It is important for you to receive appropriate advice and treatment at the right time after an assault. The doctor will help you decide when is the right time and advise where it is best to go. The police officer supporting you will help you arrange an appointment with a special clinic.
How you can help the police investigate the crime
After you have seen the doctor, you will need to talk to a police officer again. This will not be on the same day.
This time, they will want you to talk about the crime in as much detail as you can. Your statement will then be written for you to sign. This can take quite a long time and include some very detailed questions. You might find it upsetting to answer some of the officer's questions. Please remember how important your evidence is in helping the police find the person who attacked you and bringing them to justice.
If you get tired, tell the police officer. They will understand that it's better if you rest and try again later. They will ask if you want to rest after seeing the doctor and before you give your statement.
If you are 17 or younger, the police may prefer to make a video of your statement.
We will talk this through with you and the person who is supporting you. (One reason for this is that it may mean you don't have to go to court.)
Identifying the person who attacked you
You may already know who assaulted you. However, if it was a stranger, the police can work with you in different ways to help you identify them:
* You may recognise their face in photographs the police show you.
* You may be able to describe them so that he police can create a sketch, photofit or videofit that you agree looks like the person who assaulted you.
* If someone is arrested, you may be asked if you can pick them out of an identity parade (a line of eight or more people). Whenever they can, the police will arrange for you to be able to see the people on the parade without your being seen by them.
* The police may be able to show you a video and ask if you can identify the attacker that way.
The police will go to where you were attacked as part of their investigation. We may have to take away something of yours - for example, some of your clothes or something the attacker left fingerprints on. We will ask your permission first. You may have to wait along time to get them back, because they may be needed as evidence in court. We will give you back everything used as evidence, if you want it
If you have any worries about what is happening in the investigation, it is very important that you tell your 'chaperone' officer, investigating officer or support agency.
If there is a court case
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and not the police - is responsible for prosecuting people charged with the crime of sexual assault.
A Crown Prosecutor makes the decision on whether or not the case goes to court. This decision is based on two tests (which are set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors).
The tests help CPS make a decision based on:
* Is there enough evidence for a 'realistic prospect of conviction'? The Crown Prosecutor must look at the evidence and decide if it is strong and reliable enough to be used in court. If they think there is not enough evidence, or it is not the right kind, the case cannot go to court, no matter how serious the crime is.
* Is it in the public interest for this case to go to court? If the crime is serious, the CPS will usually prosecute unless it would clearly not be in the public interest for them to do so. It is essential that any arguments against prosecuting clearly outweigh the reasons for.
The first stages of a court case will be 'heard' at a Magistrates' Court. You will not normally be asked to go to this hearing. The magistrates will decide if the case should go ahead and whether the defendant should be held or released on bail until the trial. The magistrates' decisions will also be based on the evidence. They may disagree with the CPS and decide that there is not enough evidence. If so, they will stop the case. But if they agree that there is enough evidence, they will send the case to the Crown Court.
At the Crown Court a judge and jury will hear the case. Barristers will speak for the prosecution (the CPS) and for the defendant (the person charged with the crime of assaulting you). After hearing all the evidence, the jury will decide if they believe the defendant committed the crime.
If the defendant pleads not guilty to the crime, you may have to go to the Crown Court and appear as a witness. If you are called as a witness, the two barristers will ask you questions in court. You will be a
witness for the prosecution. You cannot talk to the barrister from the CPS about the case before you give your evidence -it could look as if you had been told what to say. The prosecution will usually ask for you to be allowed to leave the court as soon as you have answered both barristers' questions.
It is against the law for newspapers or television to use your name or give details that would make it clear who you are. They can, however, repeat whatever you said in your evidence apart from those personal details.
You can get help and support from the Crown Court Witness Service. They can arrange for you to visit the courtroom before the trial, which should help make going there less strange or off-putting.
If you are worried about your own or your family's safety, ask the police how we can help you.
Information about your case including the dates of the trial and the result will be passed by the CPS to the police so that we can keep you informed. If the CPS chooses not to go ahead with the case against your alleged attacker, every effort will be made to speak with you and explain that decision in advance. The final decision rests with the CPS.
If you are not sure about what is going to happen or what any of the things that happen in court might mean for you, ask the police officers or support agency who have been helping you to explain.
Your 'impact statement'
If the court finds the person who assaulted you guilty, or if they plead guilty, you can let the court know how the attack has affected you, for example, how it has made you or your family feel. If you do want to make an 'impact statement', let the police know. An officer will take your statement before the court passes sentence.
How the attack might make you feel
We all have our own feelings about everything that happens in our lives.
A sexual assault might change the way you feel for along time. You might feel frightened, ashamed or angry. You may have nightmares or not be able to sleep. You may not want to eat. You may go from good moods to bad moods in a minute. You might suddenly want to cry or get angry with people. You may feel guilty or that you are not worthwhile. You might find it hard to make your mind up about things. And you might find that you cannot stand anyone touching you, even if you love them.
You are not alone in feeling like this. A shocking experience can upset anyone in this way. It is not your fault that someone attacked you. And you don't have to cope with it on your own. You can talk privately to a trained counsellor who has helped other people deal with the same kind of feelings. They can offer you a safe place where you can talk about any worries and fears you might have.
People who are close to you might also need some help. They might need to speak to a counsellor to help them cope with the stress, and to give them the strength to support and comfort you.
Victim Support
Helpline number: 0845 303 0900
Victim Support is an organisation with trained volunteers who will:
* help you with your feelings about being attacked.
* give you practical advice;
* go with you to the police station;
* tell you about other agencies offering support to survivors of sexual assault in your area;
* accompany you to court, in co-operation with the Crown Court Witness Service;
* help you to apply for financial compensation to the Criminal Injuries and Compensation Board; and give you any other help they can.
The police will contact Victim Support and ask them to get in touch with you and find out what help you may need.
11. Compensation
If you have been sexually assaulted, you may be able to get financial compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. To be able to get help from them, you must have reported the attack to the police and you must have co-operated in the investigation, for example by giving evidence or trying to help the police identify a suspect.
To apply for compensation, you need to use the proper application form. You can get this from:
The Criminal Injuries Compensation
Board Morley House
26-30 Holborn Viaduct
London
EC1 A 2JQ
Telephone: 020 7842 6800
Helpful websites.
www.angelsurvive.com
For people of all ages that have been affected by abuse of any form (emotional, mental, sexual, incestuous, physical, violence, rape or assault).The site is for people to support each other, with sections for helplines as well as a chat room and forums where you can get advice or general support.
www.lindsayarmstrongsupportgroup.org.uk
Lindsay Armstrong Support Group
A 24 hour helpline set up to give support to victims of rape/sexual assault and their families.
www.rapecrisis.org.uk
This website aims to provide the basic information that survivors of sexual violence, friends and family need to access the services they need.
www.met.police.uk/sapphire/index.htm
Improving rape investigation and victim care, great links and helpful tips on keeping safe. Information on this page has been taken from this website. There is much more help for men and women here.
If you have been raped or feel you have been raped please call the police and get help.
Format is not responsible for the content of external websites. Information provided on TotalFormat is, at best, of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a professional (for instance, a counsellor, police officer, or medical physician)
None of the Administrators, Moderators, or general users can take any responsibility for the results or consequences of any attempt to use or adopt any of the information presented on this web site. The information given is for a guide and helping hand towards finding accurate information tailored to specific needs by professionals.
Date rape drugs on decline - tips on keeping safe.
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