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Date-rape drugs 'not widespread' Date-rape drugs 'not widespread'
(about 1 hour later)
Date-rape drugs may not be as prevalent as first thought, research has found.Date-rape drugs may not be as prevalent as first thought, research has found.
An Association of Chief Police Officers study has found many victims of sexual assault may have just been very drunk.An Association of Chief Police Officers study has found many victims of sexual assault may have just been very drunk.
In 120 cases from November 2004 to October 2005, it found no link to the date-rape drug Rohypnol and only found evidence of the drug GHB in two cases.In 120 cases from November 2004 to October 2005, it found no link to the date-rape drug Rohypnol and only found evidence of the drug GHB in two cases.
In all 10 were suspected drug-assisted assaults involving sedatives or other drugs. The government said: "Rape is never the victim's fault."In all 10 were suspected drug-assisted assaults involving sedatives or other drugs. The government said: "Rape is never the victim's fault."
The report does not seek to deny or neutralise the incidence of drug-facilitated sexual assault Association of Chief Police Officers
A Home Office spokeswoman said the research added to the government's "understanding of the role of drugs and alcohol in rape".A Home Office spokeswoman said the research added to the government's "understanding of the role of drugs and alcohol in rape".
"The government is working to put rape victims' needs first and to make it easier to bring rapists to justice."The government is working to put rape victims' needs first and to make it easier to bring rapists to justice.
The report does not seek to deny or neutralise the incidence of drug-facilitated sexual assault Association of Chief Police Officers
"Rape is an appalling crime, which is never the victim's fault," she said."Rape is an appalling crime, which is never the victim's fault," she said.
She added that nearly £6.7m had been invested over the past three years in services for victims of sexual violence.She added that nearly £6.7m had been invested over the past three years in services for victims of sexual violence.
The study - thought to be the first of its size into drug rape - involved the Metropolitan, Greater Manchester, Derbyshire, Northumbria and Lancashire police forces as well as the Walsall area of the West Midlands Police.The study - thought to be the first of its size into drug rape - involved the Metropolitan, Greater Manchester, Derbyshire, Northumbria and Lancashire police forces as well as the Walsall area of the West Midlands Police.
The findings also revealed 119 of the 120 alleged victims admitted they had been drinking alcohol and forensic tests discovered evidence of alcohol in 52% of cases.The findings also revealed 119 of the 120 alleged victims admitted they had been drinking alcohol and forensic tests discovered evidence of alcohol in 52% of cases.
"In most cases, the alleged victims had consumed alcohol voluntarily and, in some cases, to dangerous levels," an Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) spokesman said."In most cases, the alleged victims had consumed alcohol voluntarily and, in some cases, to dangerous levels," an Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) spokesman said.
Drug-assisted assaults 'Debilitating cocktail'
"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.""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."
And Det Ch Supt Dave Gee, co-author of the report, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that 48% of victims said they had taken a combination of recreational drugs and prescribed medication, in addition to alcohol.
He said this "cocktail" of substances was likely to "debilitate" people.
"The most common method of spiking drinks is alcohol," he added.
The organisation's analysis also discovered 22 alleged victims were two to three times above the legal drink-drive alcohol limit.The organisation's analysis also discovered 22 alleged victims were two to three times above the legal drink-drive alcohol limit.
Of the 120 people examined, 57 had traces of controlled or prescribed drugs in their systems, including cannabis in 20% of cases, cocaine in 17% and amphetamines (including Ecstasy) in 9%, said Acpo. Research questioned
Of the 120 people examined, 57 had traces of controlled or prescribed drugs in their systems, including cannabis in 20% of cases, cocaine in 17% and amphetamines (including ecstasy) in 9%, said Acpo.
In a total of 41 cases, one alleged victim had taken alcohol and illegal drugs, eight had taken alcohol and prescribed drugs and seven had consumed all three.In a total of 41 cases, one alleged victim had taken alcohol and illegal drugs, eight had taken alcohol and prescribed drugs and seven had consumed all three.
The report also concluded only "limited traces" of GHB, or gamma-hydroxybutyrate, were involved in the cases. Ruth Hall, of Women Against Rape, questioned the purpose of the research and said there was "moralising" which meant men could consume alcohol, but similar behaviour by women was used to blame them for attacks.
Ms Hall told Today that her mind was "open" on the use of Rohypnol, but added that "the question is not what the substance is, but what the response is".
"What we needed was not research and data. The priority is to deal with the 5% conviction rate for rape," she added.