Monsters Don’t Just Hang Out in Closets or

Under Beds Any More

By Brian Conger

A person falls prey to a sexual assault crime every 92 seconds in the United States. On

average over 321,000 sexual

assaults occur every year. This

average is in relation to

individuals that are age 12 and

older. However, the majority of

victims are under the age of 30.

One might ask, “how would you

define sexual assault?’

The standard definition

of Sexual assault is any

unwanted sexual contact or

attention resulting from force, threats, bribes, manipulation, pressure, or violence. Sexual

violence can take many forms, including rape or attempted rape, domestic and dating violence,

and child sexual abuse. Sexual violence can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, class,

race, occupation, religion, sexual orientation, or physical appearance. Sexual violence is a crime

of power and control. It has nothing to do sex or with how someone dresses or acts. (3)
 It is remarkable how the numbers of victims continue to increase as time goes on.

Everyone in this world is social in one way or another. Let’s face it, it is getting harder and

harder to meet people in a safe way. Most often times, the social aspect comes into play when

you are in a bar or a dance club. All you really intended, was to go out with your friends, toss

back a few drinks, maybe get

your dance on a little, after a

long week of studies.

You probably weren’t

even planning on meeting

anybody new. It just so happens

that someone ends up catching

your eye. You nonchalantly

provide him with a flirty look, which provides him with the courage to come over and talk with

you. He offers to buy you a drink. You politely accept and you get to chatting a little bit, you

find you have a lot in common. Time continues to go by and more and more drinks come your

way. You begin to think to yourself, I should probably just go home, but you are really enjoying

yourself. Your mind starts to get a little hazy and he offers the idea of maybe going back to his

place to continue the party.

Many people wouldn’t think of Alcohol as being a drug used for rape, however, as many

as 70% of college students admit to having engaged in sexual activity primarily as a result of

being under the influence of alcohol, or to having sex they wouldn't have had if they had been

sober. 55% of female students and 75% of male students involved in acquaintance rape admit to
having been drinking or using drugs when the incident occurred. 90% of all campus rapes occur

when alcohol has been used by either the assailant or the victim. (1)

Instances like this are very common and usually go unreported, primarily because we just

chalk it up to a bad night of drinking and an even worse night of decision making. I am sure

many of us have had nights like this, you wake up the next morning with a screaming headache

and you are wondering where in the world you are. You start to freak out because, this was not

what you planned, but you have got to get out of there and you don’t want to hurt the other

persons feelings, or to share in the awkward conversation, so you try to sneak out without

waking them up. Little did you know… you may have just been a victim of sexual assault. I use

the phrase “may have been” primarily because, not all sexual encounters after drinking are

sexual assaults. Plenty of people have wanted to engage in sexual intercourse after drinking, but

the ability to make an informed decision about consent becomes more and more difficult with

Alcohol consumption.

So, what do we do

when alcohol still plays

a roll, but the culprit is

something even more

sinister? Something

colorless, odorless and

tasteless. The one

exception is GBL, and it has a bitter taste to it. The taste is masked by the flavor of the strong

alcoholic drink. GBL is a special chemical precursor. It can be converted into GHB through

some chemical reactions. What makes this so scary is that same chemical reaction happens
naturally in the body. When GBL is ingested, your body efficiently converts into GHB through

digestion. GHB induces a sense of euphoria and intoxication because it depresses your central

nervous system.

Rohypnol, also known as “roofies” is a very well-known date rape drug. Rohypnol is not

legally available for prescription in the US and so just having it in your possession signals intent

to commit a crime. Rohypnol may cause users to feel intoxicated; they may have slurred speech,

impaired judgment, and difficulty walking. The effects are often felt within 10 minutes and can

last up to 8 hours. Rohypnol can cause deep sedation, respiratory distress, and blackouts that can

last up to 24 hours. (1)

When the monsters come out of their hiding places and begin to prey on the young and

innocent, these drugs are the types of weapons that they carry in their arsenal. These blackouts

cause the victim to lose all memory of the crime that was committed. Which makes it easier for

the perpetrator to

hide, and in many

cases get away with

the crime. Drug

facilitated sexual

assaults are very

popular in the

student community.

A recent

national survey conducted by the National Institutes of Justice found that, over the course of a
college career, one fifth to one quarter of college women may experience a completed or

attempted rape. (2)

Like I stated before, it does not matter your age, race or gender, but statistics tend to

increase depending on age and gender. For example: As of 1998, an estimated 17.7 million

American women had been victims of attempted or completed rape. Women ages 18-24 who are

college students are 3 times more likely than women in general to experience sexual violence.

2.78 million men in the U.S. had been victims of attempted or completed rape. Males ages 18-24

who are college students are approximately 5 times more likely than non-students of the same

age to be a victim of rape or sexual assault. 21% of TGQN (transgender, genderqueer,

nonconforming) college students have been sexually assaulted, compared to 18% of non-TGQN

females, and 4% of non-TGQN males. (4)

How do we protect ourselves from sexual assault? Wherever you are, if drinks are being

served, make sure that you are always carrying your drink with you wherever you go. If you put

it down and leave it unattended for even a minute, get yourself a new drink. Open your drink

yourself. Don’t drink anything that smells strange. As stated previously GHB has a bitter taste to

it. Make sure that you are observing the bartenders, as they pour your drink. Don’t take drinks

from strangers, free drinks can come with a price. Stay near your friends. If you feel like you are

too drunk for the amount of alcohol that you have consumed or you think someone has drugged

you, call 911 and go to the hospital. It is important to relay as much information to the Police and

medical professionals as possible. Another important measure is:

 References
1. Canopy. “Wellness & Prevention Services.” Date Rape Drugs, wellness.appstate.edu/date-rape-

drug.

2. Maiuro, Roland D. Perspectives on College Sexual Assault: Perpetrator, Victim, and Bystander.

Springer Publishing Company, 2015.

Pg. 117

3. “Rape and Sexual Assault.” Rape and Sexual Assault | Utah Violence & Injury Prevention

Program, health.utah.gov/vipp/topics/rape-sexual-assault/.

4. “Victims of Sexual Violence: Statistics.” RAINN, www.rainn.org/statistics/victims-sexual-

violence.