The involvement of drugs and alcohol in drug-facilitated sexual assault: a systematic review of the evidence.
The rate of drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA; when an incapacitating drug is administered surreptitiously to facilitate sexual assault) is perceived to be increasing in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, causing international concern. This article examines evidence that quantifies the contribution of drugs in instances of alleged DFSA, identifies the substances involved, and discusses the implications of these findings. Of 389 studies examined, 11 were included in this review. The only study to consider covert drugging reported that 2% of alleged DFSA cases were attributable to surreptitious drug administration. Other studies failed to remove voluntary drug consumption from their cohort, biasing results. A study by the United Kingdom's National Forensic Services found no evidence to suggest that flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) had been used for DFSA during its 3-year investigation. In the United States, flunitrazepam is used recreationally, providing a likely explanation for its presence in samples of some alleged DFSA victims.
Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom.
Caryl M
CM
Beynon
Clare
C
McVeigh
Jim
J
McVeigh
Conan
C
Leavey
Mark A
MA
Bellis
D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D011902:Rape / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012107:Research Design; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014481:United States
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D013287:Illicit Drugs