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How can I be safe?
While drug-induced sexual assault can happen to anyone at any time,
there are preventive steps you can take to reduce that risk:
- Never leave a beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) unattended.
- Don't accept a drink from someone you don't know well or trust.
- At a bar/restaurant, accept drinks only from the bartender or
server.
- At social gatherings don't accept open container drinks from
anyone.
- Be alert to friends' behavior. Anyone appearing disproportionately
drunk in relation to the amount of alcohol they have consumed
may be in danger.
- Share this information with friends and create a plan to protect
each other in potentially dangerous situations.
If you feel dizzy, confused, or have
other sudden, unexplained symptoms after drinking a beverage:
- Get to a safe place.
- Contact police.
- Call someone you trust.
- Get to a hospital emergency room immediately. Rohypnol mixed
with alcohol can be a fatal combination for some people.
- Try to retain a sample of the beverage for testing.
If you think you've been sexually
assaulted:
- Call The Molly Hays Glander 24-hour Response Line at (919) 618-RAPE
(7273), or a rape crisis center near you.
- Contact the police.
- If you decide to file a police report, DO NOT shower, bathe,
douche, or change clothes until medical and legal evidence is
collected; these actions can destroy evidence.
- Immediately get to a hospital or clinic to receive treatment
for external/internal injuries, testing for pregnancy or STD’s,
and to receive support.
- Request a urine test to detect the presence of Rohypnol, GHB,
or other drugs as soon as possible. Traces of the drug can be
detected up to 24 hours following ingestion. However, 24 hours
is the MAXIMUM – it is likely that the drug will remain
in the system more than 8 hours.
For more information visit the following links:
The
Women's Center
The
Molly Hays Glander Sexual Assault and Rape Response Service
Main source: The Aurora Center for Advocacy and Education,
University of Minnesota
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