Their date started off innocently. She was at a bar with a group of friends.
Her companion is an acquaintance, someone she knows from class with or a friend of a friend. He uses alcohol or a date rape drug to incapacitate her. He frequently brings her drinks during the night. After finishing her drink she feels overwhelmingly tired, she can't focus, she feels like she wants to go to sleep. To her friends she just looks drunk. He offers to help her and takes her to a room.
The date rape drug is used because the victim experiences a loss of memory, a sort of "amnesia" within 15 to 30 minutes after consuming her drink. She wakes up naked in an unfamiliar room â€" a hotel room. She can't remember whom she was with or what happened to her after a certain point. The impact of the drug does not wear off for hours. She returns to her apartment to sleep and does not immediately realize she has been assaulted. She may only begin to realize she has been assaulted because she feels "sore."
This is not just one rape victim's story but the story of many college students just like her.
In 2005, the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center saw 148 college-aged (18-24 year old) women. From Jan. 1 to March 2, 20 college-aged females have been sexually assaulted.
WHAT IS RAPE
Rape comes in many different forms, but at the core it means forcing someone to have sex against their will using fear or intimidation.
According to rapecrisionline, an online prevention and information Web site, there are four principle types of rape.
Acquaintance or Date Rape: a perpetrator known to the victim commits the rape. Acquaintance rapes usually begin with the intention of having sex but when the victim resists the advance, the perpetrator uses more aggressive measures.
Marital Rape: Forced rape within a marriage.
Stranger Rape: Rape by a person who is completely unknown to the victim. Stranger rape actually occurs far less frequently than acquaintance rape.
Gang Rape: A group of offenders that "take turns" assaulting a victim. Group members may also participate by forcing the victim to submit while other group members commit the rape.
Women aren't the only people to become rape victims. Men make up slightly less than 9 percent of all reported cases, according to national crime reports. The majority of male rape occurs behind bars and goes unreported.
MYTHS ABOUT RAPE
Many myths surround rape and its victims.
"One of the biggest misconceptions about rape is that most rapes occur when people are out alone at night," said Stalene Call, senior math major. "People think that if they stay home, they'll be safe."
"It only happens to men is a myth," said Souleymane Coulibaly, sophomore electrical engineering major.
"The worst myth about rape is that it's a crime of passion. Rape is a violent crime and there's no other way to put it," said Drew Hill, freshman accounting major.
The truth is that anyone, at any time, can become a victim of sexual assault. Rapists fit no particular description and cross all racial and economic lines.
HELP FOR VICTIMS
Rape victims no longer have to suffer in shame and silence. Free counseling services are available on campus and throughout Memphis.
The Career and Psychological Counseling Center located at 214 Wilder Tower have counselors available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments are required unless the student is experiencing a personal crisis. Call 678-2068 for more information.
The Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center offers victims a 24-hour confidential helpline as well as forensic examinations, individual counseling and support groups, legal advocacy, education and self defense class. All services are available at no cost.
For 24-hour assistance call 272-2020.
"Community presentations are available for any group of people wanting our services," said Venus Gray Sanders, coordinator of community education. "They include presentations about date rape, boundaries, sexual harassment, stalking, sexual abuse, healthy dating relationships, community resources, MSARC services and many, many more topics, We also offer a free self-defense class for groups of 15 or 20. We can do these on site. If you find a places on campus, we would be more than happy to come to you," she said.
