2.5.1 Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault

Drug-facilitated sexual assault is often called ‘date rape’, because it often (but not always) happens in the context of a date between two people who may be romantically interested in each other.

There are many false beliefs about sexual assault that can lead to different parts of society blaming the survivor for the event.

Drug-facilitated sexual assault is marked by three primary characteristics:

1. The perpetrator has criminal intent: Drug-facilitated sexual assault does not happen by accident. The perpetrator plans the process in advance, and while they may not consider their actions sexual assault, they have thought through the assault and decided that they are going to have sex with the survivor. When they decide this, they cross the line into criminal behavior.

2. The perpetrator involves alcohol and drugs: Alcohol and drugs incapacitate people and make them easier to isolate.

3. The perpetrator isolates the survivor: This physical or social isolation creates a situation where the perpetrator can manipulate what is happening and take away the survivor’s power. By separating the survivor from their friends or support network, the perpetrator puts themselves in a position of power and control.