Alcohol major link in drug rape cases

A study into alleged drug facilitated sexual assault (date rape) cases in the UK found massive evidence that victims had been drinking and no cases of the notorious Rohypnol drug had been administered.

The study, which examined cases between November 1 2004 and October 31 2005 considered all alleged or suspected cases of DFSA in the Metropolitan Police, Greater Manchester, Derbyshire, Northumbria and Lancashire police forces as well as the Walsall area of the West Midlands Police.

The study, codenamed Operation Matisse, was conducted by the three main services engaged in evidence collection for sexual offences: the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), the Forensic Science Service (FSS) and the Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs).

Only two of 120 cases examined by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) found forensic evidence of GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) – another drug widely linked with the drug rape phenomenon.

119 of the 120 alleged victims admitted to drinking alcohol and forensic tests found evidence of alcohol consumption in 52 per cent of cases.

An ACPO spokesperson said: “In most cases, the alleged victims had consumed alcohol voluntarily and, in some cases, to dangerous levels.

“The report does not seek to deny or neutralise the incidence of drug-facilitated sexual assault but merely view the topic in the context of alcohol and other related issues.”

Additionally, 57 of the 120 people had traces of controlled or prescribed drugs in their systems, including cannabis in 20 per cent of cases, cocaine in 17 per cent and amphetamines (including Ecstasy) in nine per cent.

In a total of 41 cases an alleged victim had consumed both alcohol and illegal drugs, eight had taken alcohol and prescribed drugs and seven had taken all three.

The spokesperson added that “In respect of the use of GHB, there is some empirical data to support limited use but its early identification is often compromised by delayed incident reporting and the rapid metabolism of this drug.”

Report co-author Dave Gee said: “This study is the first of its kind in the police service and demonstrates the difficulties faced when investigating offences of this type. The findings contained within the report will assist forces in investigations and also inform the wider public as to steps one can take to minimise the threat of becoming a victim.”

The findings are based on participants providing information via a FSS questionnaire, carried out using a methodology designed by practitioners in the field of rape investigation.

An ACPO statement said: “The inference drawn is that a modus operandi of some offenders is to facilitate sexual assault by administering drugs, including alcohol to victims. Moreover some may prefer to commit opportunistic assaults after the victim has become intoxicated following their own use of drugs and/or alcohol.

“There is a recurring complication when establishing the prevalence of this type of offence. To some extent this is due to the timeliness in reporting of these incidents and subsequent delays in collection of forensic evidence.

“In terms of the police approach to the investigation of these offences, it is suggested that a more consistent and standardised methodology would, on occasions, generate better quality investigations.”