Date Rape Speech

“I am standing in the hallway looking out the window for my ride home. I turn around and my suitcase is gone; Joe and Bill from down the hall are laughing as they carry it away. I follow them. I hear a door lock behind me. They let go of my suitcase and grab me. I am lying on the bare linoleum floor of Joe's bedroom. In the room are a group of Lambda Chi and KDR pledges who live on my hall; several of them are football players. Some are sitting on the bed, laughing. Two others are pinning my arms and my legs to the floor. Joe is touching me while the others cheer. I am a friendly fellow-classmate as I reasonably explain that I'm in a rush to catch a ride, that I'm not in the mood to joke around; that I'd really like them to please cut it out.

It takes a few long upside-down seconds before things look different. As I start to scream and fight I feel like I am shattering a world that will not get put back together. They let me go. Later I don't talk about this, not even to myself. I sit near Joe and Bill in sociology and English classes. I don't talk in class” (Sanday, Peggy Reeves). This story about a girl who was raped shows the dangers one can be in even if they know the person who is harming them. Date rape is a large issue that has ways to prevent it and ways to react when it happens.
Date rape is different then just normal rape.

Although they have the same characteristics such as being forced to have sex without consent, date rape is rape committed by someone with whom the victim has gone on a date with. Not in all cases, but most date rape cases drugs are used. The most common drugs that can be used within date rape incidences are Rohypnol or roofies, GHB or cherry meth, and Ketamine. “GHB, rohypnol and ketamine have become known as "date rape drugs" or "predatory drugs" because they are used to incapacitate someone for the purposes of committing a crime, often sexual assault” (Date Rape Drugs). This says that these drugs are known as date rape drugs because they are specifically used for sexual assault. “These drugs can be mixed in to drinks and are almost impossible to detect, especially in dark-colored drinks such as cola or dark beer, or in a dark room” (New, Michelle). This means that rapists have an advantage and are able to drug their dates without them knowing. These maybe the most common drugs that are used during date rapes, but a number one result from date rape is the drinking of alcohol. “90% of all campus rapes occur when alcohol has been used by either the assailant or the victim” (Date Rape Drugs).This shows that almost all date rape incidents are associated with being intoxicated. Being under the influence and not being able to make good decisions is why date rape rates are

high.
Being intoxicated is a type of common sense decision. People should be aware of their surrounding and be aware of who they are with while drinking. Making good decisions like going on dates with people they trust and know well enough to know that they wouldn’t do any harm. People should always listen to their instincts and not be oblivious to what might happen on a date with someone they haven't known long. “Detective Dianne Cruz Licata, also with the NYPD's Special Victims Liaison Squad, points out that many women comply with male requests that make them uncomfortable because they don't want to appear overly suspicious” (Jacoby, Susan). This shows that many women don't trust their instincts enough because they don't want to seem suspicious. Woman get the instinct that something is off about the situation but don't want to make it awkward by saying no. They have already agreed to be with the person on a date, but women shouldn't be afraid to be rude and say no when things aren't going the way they want in a date scenario. One of the officers interviewed named Sergeant Morley says, “If you have the slightest inkling that something isn't right the thing that you have to tell yourself is that you don't owe this guy a thing. Maybe he will feel bad if you won't come up to his apartment. But it isn't your responsibility to make a man feel comfortable at all times” (Jacoby, Susan). This quote is advice telling the victims to never be afraid to be “rude.” If a person feels unsafe and uncomfortable with what is happening they should always say no.
Saying no is the key word, but what happens if they force you after the fact that you say no? Knowing self defense is a basic thing every one should be taught. There are many programs in multiple different areas that provide self defense lessons. “Programs should focus on both primary prevention for women who have not experienced sexual assault and secondary prevention in an effort to prevent re-victimization” (Fisher, Bonnie S). The article is saying that many programs that are made to focus on sexual assault and preventing it should focus on prevention in general to help those who have and haven't been assaulted. Some program will provide people with different danger scenarios and how to get out of them in a free 30 minute Safety Talk. There is program who does this held in Athens, Georgia called S.A.F.E. which stands for Sexual Assault Fundamental Escapes. This “is a program that will give you the skills to Resist, Escape, & Defend by helping you to increase your awareness, avoid dangerous situations and empower you with simple and effective personal protective skills” ("SAFE: Women's Self Defense Course”). The quote from the program shows that just helping you increase awareness and avoid bad situations can make a difference. The main goal of the program is to not only physically empower women but to mentally get a woman ready to fight back in situations and be able to mentally recognize or create ways to get away. “At American Black Belt Academy, [their] women’s self defense program focuses on sexual assault prevention and defense techniques that will help you evade danger before it develops and defend yourself when no danger signs are given” ("SAFE: Women's Self Defense Course”). This shows that there are programs out to help people avoid situations like date rape and help people know how to defend themselves.
Learning self defense might help someone in the future because no one knows what could happen. “There is an average of 293,000 instances (victims age 12 or older) of sexual assault each year” ("Statistics | RAINN | Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network”). This statistic shows that anything can happen and that many rape cases happen within just one year. Many rape cases are also not even reported. If someone is ever date raped or raped at all they should seek help right away. Waiting doesn’t help anyone and the rapist will never be caught. “Anyone who thinks she may have been dosed with these drugs should go to a hospital for drug-toxicity testing as soon as possible ” (Gordon, Karen J). This advises anyone who things they have been drugged by their date or by anyone to seek help immediately and get tests for the drugs. Call the police if anything had happened or there are hotlines that have people to talk to about date rape situations. “68% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police” ("Statistics | RAINN | Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network”). This show that people are afraid to seek help if date rape or rape in general is committed. Date rape and rape are crimes and if one happens someone should always report it.
Date rape is a very serious event that happens a lot. There are date rape drugs that can be avoided by being very cafe like watching ones drink at all times and being cautious while being intoxicated. Make good common sense decisions such as going on dates with people you know it is safe to be with. Follow your instinct and never be afraid to be “rude” by saying no to something that is uncomfortable to you. Learn how to resist or fight back if something awful were to have happened. Most importantly if someone is date raped the police or anyone should be told and the person should go to the hospital to get tests done immediately.