What is date rape
QUESTION: What is date rape?ANSWER:What is date rape? What do you think of when you hear the word rape? A stranger hiding in the darkness waiting to attack the first woman who walks by? The truth is most women know their attacker. The attacker could be a dating partner, a friend, an acquaintance, or a coworker. Date rape and acquaintance rape are the same thing.
Date rape is when either person forces the other person to have sex. This is a person who is violated sexually, against their will, by a person they know. Even if you have been intimate before, if you are forced to have sex when you don’t want it, it is rape.
Rape can be against either sex. The sad statistics are that one in three women will be raped in the course of her lifetime. The percentage of males who are raped is between 5% and 10%. However, the majority of the rapes we hear about are women being attacked by men.
Even though rape is sex, it is not about sex. It is about one person having power over another person. It is about control. It is an act of violence and aggression.
It is important to remember that the person who has been raped has not “asked for it.” Relationships that are healthy involve respect. Someone who respects you will honor your decision not to have sex. They will not pressure or force you to have sex.
There are specific things to think about before you go out.
Alcohol is a mind-altering drug. Alcohol can loosen your inhibitions, dull your common sense; for some it may bring out aggression that would not otherwise surface.
Additionally, there are drugs available called date rape drugs. These drugs can be put into drinks, alcoholic or otherwise, and render the victim incapable of defending themselves. Previous victims have reported blurred vision, inability to remember anything and blacking out. These people aren’t capable of giving consent; they aren’t capable of anything at this point.
There are things you can do to avoid and/or lessen your chance of date rape:
- Never be alone with someone you do not trust -- even in your own home or your own room.
- Don’t partake of mind-altering substances. If something tastes funny, something may have been put into your beverage.
- Don’t be alone with someone who makes you feel uneasy. Trust your instincts. If someone makes you feel uneasy, don’t allow yourself to be alone in his company.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- Go out with a group of friends and keep an eye on each other.
If you believe you are a victim of date rape, seek help. Tell someone. If you are able, get to a doctor and be checked out. If you want to press charges, call the authorities. Tell someone you trust.
