About Date Rape

Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Assault by Someone You Know

What is rape?

Rape is forced, unwanted sexual intercourse. Rape, also called sexual assault, can happen to both men and women of any age. The rapist uses force, violence, or threats to take control over another person. Some rapists use drugs to take away a person's ability to fight back. Rape is a crime, whether the person committing it is a stranger, a date, an acquaintance, or a family member.

Are teens at risk of being raped?

According to the FBI, female adolescents are frequent victims of sexual assault and rape. The incidence of rape in the United States peaks among young women 16 to 19 years of age. The reported incidence of rape and sexual assault reflects just a small fraction of the actual frequency of this crime, as many rapes go unreported. The US National Victim Center estimates that almost 700,000 women are raped each year, and that 61% of the victims are under the age of 18.

What is date rape?

Date rape is the rape of a person by someone the person knows, typically when on a date. Knowledge of the rapist in date rape can range from a first time meeting to an intimate relationship with the person. Date rape is considered a criminal behavior.

How often are teens the victims of date rape?

Female adolescents are at high risk for becoming victims of acquaintance rape or "date rape." According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, of rape victims who reported the offense to law enforcement, about 40% were under the age of eighteen, and 15% were younger than twelve.

Of 1,000 female students surveyed at a large urban university, over half had experienced some form of unwanted sex. Twelve percent of these acts were perpetrated by casual dates and 43% by steady dating partners.

How often are young women the victims of date rape?

Studies have shown that the highest incidence of acquaintance rape occurred in grade 12 and during the freshman year of college. Of the 25% of college women surveyed who reported having had unwanted sexual intercourse, 84% knew their assailant, 57% of the episodes occurred on dates, and 41% of the women stated that they were virgins at the time of the assault. However, this is probably an underestimation of the true incidence of date rape

Who commits rape?

Research indicates that the majority of rapes are committed by males, although females can commit rape as well.

The National Crime Victimization Survey indicates that 92% of rapes were committed by known assailants. About half of all rapes and sexual assaults against women are committed by friends and acquaintances, and 26% are by intimate partners.

How is alcohol a factor in rape?

It is estimated that approximately one-half of all assault cases involve alcohol consumption by the perpetrator, victim, or both. Alcohol contributes to sexual assault through multiple pathways, often increasing existing risk factors. While some perpetrators may become more likely to rape while under the influence, the desire to commit sexual violence may actually cause alcohol consumption as the perpetrator drinks alcohol before committing a sexual assault in order to justify the behavior. Among college-aged males, fraternities encourage both heavy drinking and the sexual exploitation of women, which can lead to rape.

Among adults, 30-40% of the men and 27-34% of women who perpetrated violence against their partners reported drinking at the time of the event. Moreover, alcohol-related problems such as abuse and dependence have been associated with violence among both African-Americans and Caucasians.

What is a date rape drug?

Date rape drugs cause sedation and amnesia to the extent that a potential victim cannot resist or may not be aware of the assault.

The most commonly reported drugs in addition to alcohol to facilitate sexual assault are flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), and Ketamine. These drugs also are known as "club drugs" because they tend to be used at dance clubs, concerts, and parties.

Date rape drugs are powerful and dangerous. They can be slipped into a drink when the victim is not looking. The drugs often have no color, smell, or taste. The drugs can cause weakness, confusion, and black-outs so that the victim is unable to refuse sex. Date rape drugs are used on both females and males.

What are the psychological and emotional consequences of date rape?

Women who have been raped are at high risk for experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Victims of date rape are 11 times more likely to be clinically depressed, and 6 times more likely to be fearful of social situations than are non-victims. Psychological problems have been seen in cases as long as 15 years after the assault. More about treatment for PTSD.

How can I prevent date rape?

Think about it before you go on a date

Have good communication with your date.
Have an idea of where you're going.
Plan to go places where there are a lot of people are around.
Suggest going on a group date if you feel uncomfortable going alone.
Don't use alcohol or drugs, as these can alter your thinking and/or your behavior.
Don't leave a drink unattended or let someone get a drink for you.
Don't get stranded without money.

Know Where You Are Going

Make sure when you go out, that someone else knows where you are going. Also, know how to get home on your own so you can leave if you need to.

You Have The Right To Say No

Don't have sex just because someone else is paying for the date. "No" means "No!" If the person you are with moves to fast, tell him or her to stop. If it continues, move away and if you need to, leave.

Tell Someone You Trust

Date rape does happen. If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, tell someone that you feel comfortable with, call a rape or crisis hotline, and/or contact the authorities. It's not uncommon to feel like it's your fault, but it's not. The blame lies with the rapist. No one asks to be raped.