Date rape drugs

Attackers slip date rape drugs into the drinks of young women in clubs, at parties or in the private environment so as to sedate and subsequently rape them. Afterwards, the victims have difficulties in recalling events.

A wide range of substances fall under the category of so-called date rape drugs or knockout drops. Such substances are, for example, (prescription only) psychotropics, narcotics or gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB, also called liquid ecstasy). They have a sedative, sleep-inducing and muscle-relaxing effect with subsequent disturbance of memory from the time of ingestion.

Date rape drugs take effect very quickly. The effects generally last for several hours depending on the substance and dose. The substance GHB is used because it can be slipped into drinks unnoticed (drink spiking). In combination with alcohol and other narcotics, GHB can have fatal effects with a life-threatening respiratory standstill.

Attackers specifically use the influence of these substances to carry out sexualised violence against women and girls. The estimated number of unreported cases is particularly high.