I’m sure that you’ve heard stories about date rape drugs, and you may actually know someone who has been personally affected by date rape drugs. It’s more common that one might think, and today I’ve partnered with Undercover Colors to share some drink spiking statistics, and tell you how you or someone you love may be able to protect yourself.
What are the symptoms of your drink being spiked?
First, let’s discuss the symptoms that one might have if their drink has been spiked. You might feel drunk or woozy, and perhaps have slurred speech. Mental confusion and even hallucinations are common symptoms, as well as memory loss and/or loss of inhibitions. Nausea and vomiting may even occur. It’s a terrible feeling to be left helpless in this type of situation, and my motto is that it is better to be safe than sorry.
Prepare yourself before you go out with the SipChip. SipChip is a small device, about the size of a coin, that you can test liquid on to see if it has been tampered with. It’s simple to use by peeling back the protective foil, placing a drop of your drink on the sample port, and waiting between 30 seconds to 3 minutes for your results. One line means that your drink has been spiked, and two lines means that it hasn’t been. One simple device that can be attached to your keys or your phone, has the potential to save you from being drugged.
The US Department of Justice conducted a study has shown that drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) and sexual assault while incapacitated and unable to provide consent, is a widespread problem across our nation. It’s absolutely terrible and terrifying, and we need to be prepared and take what precautions we can.
Drink spiking statistics
These drink spiking statistics sure shocked me, and I’m quite sure that they will disturb you as well.
- Nearly 1 in 10 women is affected by sexual assault while drugged or incapacitated.
- 25% to 45% of date rape victims suffer from nongenital trauma, while 19% to 22% suffer from genital trauma
- Up to 40% of rape victims have gotten a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
- 1% to 5% become pregnant. That may seem like a small number, but that results in an estimated 32,000 rape-related pregnancies in the US every year.
- 1 in 13 students report that they have been drugged, according to a 2016 study in the Psychology of Violence Journal.
- 1.4 percent of the people from the study noted above say that they have drugged someone.
- Men are not safe either, according to a study conducted by PLOS. 12.5 percent of men in that study had been sexually assaulted.
Drugging drinks happens at colleges, bars, nightclubs, and hotels around the world, and it’s a terrible crime. Barbara Cook, CEO of Undercover Colors says “While we know the SipChip doesn’t solve the issue of sexual assault, we feel strongly that our science is a tool that can be used to promote safety. We’re responding to the real challenges of today by empowering people with information while pushing for a future where these types of crimes don’t happen.”
Arm yourself before you go out, or order a set for someone you love. Use the discount code – SIPCHIP10OFF – for 10% off a SipChip 5-pack.