When people think of rape, they might think
of a stranger jumping out of a shadowy place and sexually attacking someone. But
it's not only strangers who rape. Actually, many people who have been raped
already knew the person who attacked them.
Growing up means developing
friendships, going out on dates, and meeting new people. Getting to know others
is an important and exciting part of life. Most friendships, acquaintances, and
dates never lead to violence, of course. But, sadly, sometimes it happens. When
forced sex occurs between two people who already know each other, it is known as
date or acquaintance rape. Even if the two people know each other well, and even
if they were intimate before, no one has the right to force a sexual act from
another against his or her will. Girls and women are most often the victims of
rape, but it can happen to guys, too.
Even though rape involves
forced sex, rape is not about sex or passion. Rape has nothing to do with love.
Rape is an act of aggression and violence.
Healthy
relationships involve respect - including respect for the other person's
feelings. If a date, friend, or boyfriend is pressuring a girl to be more
intimate than she wants to be, that's not a healthy relationship. Sex is not
something that one person owes to another. Someone who really cares will respect
a girl's wishes and not apply force or pressure about sex.
The Involvement of Alcohol and
Drugs
Alcohol use is
involved in many date rapes. Drinking can loosen people's inhibitions, dull
common sense, and - for some - bring out sexually aggressive behavior. A teen
using alcohol will find many situations when it becomes harder to use good
judgment, to be cautious, or to protect herself.
A recent trend, especially on
college campuses, has been the illegal use of the drug rohypnol, sometimes called the date
rape drug. Also called roofies or the forget pill, this drug may be prescribed
to help people sleep. When rohypnol and alcohol are mixed, however, the effects
can be devastating.
Girls who have been given
rohypnol and alcohol may report feeling paralyzed, having blurred vision, and
temporarily experiencing memory impairment. They can black out and forget things
that happen to them while they are in this state. Because rohypnol may be
slipped into girls' beverages at a party or at other times without their
knowledge, some experts suggest that girls should always handle their own
beverages.
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