A collaborative BOLT Safety Society x NightCap resource
CW: Discussion of sexual violence
Writer: Dominic
Backstory
At the One Young World Summit in September 2024, our Executive Director, Vedanshi, met with the CEO of NightCap, Shirah, and both discussed the need for greater awareness about the topic of drink spiking and drug-facilitated sexual violence. The following article has been created collaboratively with NightCap, and you can learn more about NightCap’s work towards the end of the article.
What is drug-facilitated sexual violence?
Drug-facilitated sexual violence can be defined as the use of alcohol or other substances to coerce or restrain the victim for the purposes of non-consensual sexual activity. Although this can be done opportunistically by simply taking advantage of an already heavily intoxicated person, it can also be done proactively through the act of spiking someone’s drink with another drug [1].
What is spiking?
Spiking is the act of putting a drug in another person’s drink without their knowledge with the goal of harming them once the drug’s effects kick in. The drugs used in these situations are commonly referred to as ‘date rape drugs.’ These drugs can make a person confused about what is happening, make them less able to defend themselves, or unable to remember what happened. Although the term ‘date rape’ is used in conversations about spiking, the perpetrator is not always a person that the victim knows. Sometimes it can be someone that they just met, or even a complete stranger [7]. Likewise, a common myth is that spiking is only done by strangers, when in reality, it is most commonly done by someone that they know [9]. Spiking can happen to anyone, anywhere, not just at or bar and doesn’t need to involve alcohol. Here are some statistics to illustrate the gravity of the situation:
· 1 in 2 women have had their drinks spiked,
· 35% of women say they have either had a drink spiked themselves, know someone who has, or both.
· Among men, 5% say they have had a drink spiked
7% say members of their family have had their drink spiked.
Despite these statistics, most incidents of spiking largely go unreported.
What counts as a date rape drug?
Any type of drug can be used as a date rape drug. This can include marijuana, cocaine, sleeping medication, or even prescription medication. Some of the most common date rape drugs include Rohypnol, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), and ketamine. Some of these drugs may look like regular drinks or may take the form of pills or powders. It can be very difficult to tell whether a drink has been spiked or not as a lot of the time the taste, colour or smell of the drink does not change [3]. A common myth is that it’s not rape if the person willing took the drug. This is false, if there was no prior agreement or consent to any sexual interaction then it’s rape [2]. In any situation, consent must be given freely and consciously without being under the influence of drugs.
A culture of rape
Before continuing it needs to be said that the survivor is never to blame for being assaulted. Rather, the blame falls solely on the perpetrators and their blatant disregard for the harm that their actions cause to others. Part of the issue also comes from a culture of rape that is prevalent in society. Commonly believed myths and misconceptions, prevalent attitudes and behaviours that are condoned by the media, the lack of emphasis on teaching people to not commit acts of violence against others, and survivors being told that their actions contributed to their own victimization are all ways in which society has normalized sexual assault [6]. This then perpetuates the cycle of abuse and violence as abusers are rarely held accountable for their actions. With that being said, we here at BOLT Safety Society are committed to the continued safety of our community. As such, these tips are not intended to put the onus on individuals for their own safety, but rather to empower safety planning awareness to mitigate potentially dangerous situations both individually and collectively..
Prevention tips
It’s good to be cautious of open drinks at a party or function, such as open punch bowls. Never accept drinks from strangers if you don’t know where it came from, and don’t feel pressured to drink any more than you’re comfortable with. Never leave your drink unattended and don’t drink anything that looks or smells strange. One of the best ways to stay safe is to look out for your friends and have to them to look out for you: a buddy system built on mutual trust. If you notice your friend acting out of character or too intoxicated to stay safe, it’s best to get them to a safe space immediately and ask them to do the same for you [3]. Our partners at NightCap have developed a variety of bottles and easily portable drink caps and covers meant to reduce incidents of drink spiking worldwide.
Who are NightCap?
Shirah Benarde might be only 22 years old, but she has already helped keep over half a million people safe from drink spiking with her viral company NightCap. NightCap is a revolutionary brand that was featured on Shark Tank in 2021, resulting in a passionate partnership with Lori Greiner.
Shirah launched NightCap when she was just 16, after a close friend had her drink spiked during a night out, and worked tirelessly to ensure the product would be something her customers would feel comfortable bringing along on a night out with friends. Inspired, she went to her mother’s closet, grabbed a pair of pantyhose, cut them up, and attached them to a scrunchie to create the first NightCap prototype.
NightCap has sold over 700,000 units in over 40 countries, and partnered with over 180 major universities, including LSU, Ole Miss, FSU, University of Michigan, Yale and Penn State, furthering their mission to promote safety and vigilance and influence a wider cultural shift. To learn more about NightCap and its products, visit https://nightcapit.com/.
Sources
[1] AlOtaibi, Sadeem O, et al. “The use of volatile substances in drug-facilitated sexual assault: A systematic review.” Cureus, 5 Jan. 2023, https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.33430.
[2] Bukoye, Oluwafunso. “Date Rape: The Myths and Realities.” Action Health Incorporated, 1 June 2015, www.actionhealthinc.org/date-rape-the-myths-and-realities/.
[3] “Date Rape Drugs: Office on Women’s Health.” OASH | Office on Women’s Health, www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/date-rape-drugs. Accessed 30 Sept. 2024.
[4] “Date Rape Drugs: Types, Symptoms, Side Effects, and Prevention.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320409#signs-and-symptoms. Accessed 30 Sept. 2024.
[5] “Date Rape.” Legal Information Institute, Legal Information Institute, www.law.cornell.edu/wex/date_rape. Accessed 30 Sept. 2024.
[6] “Rape Culture.” The SHARPP Center for Interpersonal Violence Awareness, Prevention, and Advocacy, 26 Aug. 2024, www.unh.edu/sharpp/prevention/rape-culture.
[7] “Rape Myths & Facts.” Relationship & Sexual Violence Prevention Center, 10 Sept. 2024, rsvpcenter.washu.edu/get-informed/rape-myths-facts/.
[8] “Sexual Misconduct.” SCSU Ogo, inside.southernct.edu/sexual-misconduct/facts#:~:text=Rape%20Culture%20is%20an%20environment,the%20media%20and%20popular%20culture. Accessed 30 Sept. 2024.
[9] Spiking Myths, www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/spiking-advice/spiking/spiking-myths. Accessed 30 Sept. 2024.
Resources
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