- Jan 15, 2022
- 2 min read

DATE RAPE and Protecting Yourself

Legal Information Institute at Cornell University refers to date rape as the phenomenon where the woman was forced to have sexual intercourse by a male acquaintance during a voluntary social engagement. First found in print in the 1975 book Against Our Will: Men, Women and Rape by American feminist journalist, author-activist Susan Brownmiller, the term date rape has come to define a picture of a man spiking a woman's drink when they go out together then having sex with her without her knowledge. Several drugs are used for this purpose but Rohypnol, a depressant, is the one most linked to this form of rape.

The person committing the crime is not always a boyfriend but can also be a relative, lover, or acquaintance. The perpetrator can also be a husband or lover. Courts much determine the woman’s consent or lack of consent.

GirlsHealth.Gov suggests these ways to protect yourself from being abused.

Say "NO" to alcohol. Have water or soda instead.
Open your own drinks.
Don’t let other people hand you drinks.
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 large, common, open containers. They may already have drugs in them.
Don’t drink anything that tastes, looks, or smells strange. Sometimes, GHB tastes salty.
Always go to a party, club, or concert with someone you trust, such as a friend or an older brother or sister.
Stay away from "party drugs." They can be pills, liquids, or powders. These drugs can also leave you disoriented and vulnerable.