Date Rape and Drug Facilitated Rape: Clinical Implications

Sexual assault, date rape, and drug-facilitated rape are significant problems in the United States. One in 5 women and one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives. 51% of female victims reported being raped by an intimate partner. 52% of male victims and 40% of female victims reported being raped by an acquaintance. Overall, in eight out of every ten cases of rape the victim knew the perpetrator prior to the crime. 91% of victims of rape and sexual assault are female and 9% are male. Young women are especially vulnerable to victimization of date rape and drug-facilitated rape. These events are often unreported to law enforcement and victims seldom seek medical attention following the rape occurrence. However, when victims do seek medical attention, it is imperative that clinicians be competent in the management of the rape survivor.