HOME OFFICE News
Release (ACMD 001/2007) issued by The Government News Network on 2
April 2007
Drug facilitated
sexual assault (DFSA), including rapes in which drugs are mixed
with alcohol, is a significant problem, the Advisory Council on
the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) said today.
In a new report, "Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault", the
Council makes several recommendations to help tackle date rape.
These include:
* the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) should enhance
evidence gathering so that the Forensic Science Service can test
for date rape drugs;
* the Department of Health should ensure hospitals have early
evidence kits to allow for similar tests;
* the Government should seek advice on whether the Sexual
Offences Act should be strengthened;
* drug facilitated sexual assault should be part of the British
Crime Survey and be recorded by police; and
* schools and other educational establishments should alert
people to take common sense measures, such as minding drinks, to
avoid being a victim.
Two drugs - gamma-buterolactone and 1,4-butanediol - are
reportedly used in date rape but are not currently illegal. The
Council will report on the potential for classification of these
in the near future. However, most drugs used in DFSA, including
flunitrazepam, also known as Rohypnol, gamma-hydroxy butyrate
(GHB), ketamine and cocaine are already controlled under the
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 at an appropriate level and the Council
makes no recommendations to reclassify any of them.
The report also highlights the very significant role played by
alcohol, either alone or in combination with other substances, in
date rape. It also provides an assessment of two reports :
"Operation Matisse: investigating drug facilitated sexual
assault", published by ACPO; and "Toxicological findings
in cases of alleged drug facilitated sexual assault in the United
Kingdom over a three year period", published by the Forensic
Science Service.
Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, Chair of the ACMD, said:
"Drug facilitated sexual assault is a particularly
disgusting offence that wrecks people's lives. It is a
significant but under-reported problem.
"We need more information to help tackle drug facilitated
sexual assault and find out the true extent of the problem. That
is why drug facilitated sexual assault should be part of the
British Crime Survey and police recorded crime statistics.
"Most drugs used in drug facilitated sexual assault are
already controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act, but we are
concerned that two drugs are not currently controlled and will
further consider whether they should be classified. We will advise
the Home Office by the end of the year."
To avoid being a date rape victim the ACMD is encouraging people to:
* avoid going to a club, pub or party alone;
* not accept a
drink from strangers;
* not share or exchange drinks;
*
not leave your drink unattended even when going to the toilet;
and
* be a friend by watching out for others, and be aware of
any changes in their behaviour.
The Council will continue to keep drug facilitated sexual assault
under review.
Notes to editors
1. The report 'Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault' is
available at http://www.drugs.gov.uk from
10am today (Monday 2 April). For media enquiries on the ACMD and
the report please call 020 7035 3835.
2. The ACMD is established under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to
keep under review the drug situation in the United Kingdom and to
advise Government Ministers on measures that they feel should be
taken for preventing the misuse of drugs or for dealing with the
social problems connected with their misuse. They publish highly
influential reports.
3. The report was prepared following a detailed consideration of
evidence by a specially formed panel consisting of members of the
Council and other relevant bodies. The sub-group was chaired by
Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, Chair of the ACMD, and Chairman of
the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
The Home Office asked the ACMD to look into drug facilitated
sexual assault in January 2006.
ADVISORY COUNCIL ON THE MISUSE OF DRUGS (ACMD)
Chair:
Professor Sir Michael Rawlins
Acting Secretary: Mark
Keegan
Secretariat: 6th Floor, Peel Building, 2 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DF