Page 42 - KC Cunningham Issue

The Night You Don't Remember

by Jennifer Johnson

You wake up alone in a dark, cold room. You are very tired and Date rape is committed by someone known to the victim and often
extremely confused as to where you are. Your vision is blurry and occurs on a date or during a social event. Date rape is more com-
you can’t ignore the pounding headache you have. You are not mon on college campuses than “stranger rape”, but can be just as
sure how you got where you are or who you were with. You glance traumatizing and often goes unreported. Take your time in getting
down and realize that you have no clothes on from the waist down. to know someone. Be upfront with them and make your expecta-
Questions start to invade your mind. “Did I have sex last night? tions clear. Be confident in what you do and don’t want. Know that
With who? Did I agree to it? if a man does not respect you for this, he is not
Was I raped?” You have no worth a second more of your time.
immediate answers and no
memory to draw from. Mind altering drugs such as Rohypnol and GHB
This sounds like a nightmare, play a huge role in sexual assaults and are
but for many women, it is a often introduced at clubs, parties, and on dates.
reality. They are odorless, tasteless, and can be dis-
solved into liquids, becoming invisible. They are
Each fall, young girls leave the also known as “date rape drugs.” Both drugs
comfort and security of their produce effects similar to extreme alcohol intoxi-
homes and journey to distant cation including nausea, blackouts, confusion,
cities and states in search of a memory loss, sleepiness, dizziness, and loss of
brighter future. They go with muscle control. If taken in large amounts they
the excitement of the unknown can cause comas and death. Sexual predators
and the dream of a higher edu- will use these drugs to get their victims into a
cation, new friendships and vulnerable and defenseless state.
the possibility of finding love
that could last a lifetime. It is Always watch your drinks being made or get
a time for new found indepen- your own drinks when you are at a party or
dence and responsibility. social gathering. If you start to feel sick or
42 more intoxicated than you should be, given the
While the college experience amount you have consumed, tell a friend im-
offers many rewards to a mediately. Seek medical attention right away. It
young woman, there are also is always better to be safe than sorry.
significant dangers that one
should be aware of. One of Some women have said that being raped felt
these dangers is men who are like a part of their soul had died. They are
sexual predators. Surrounded forever changed and sometimes never fully
by drinking, partying, and a recover from the trauma. College should be one
lifestyle that often encourages of the best experiences of a young person’s life.
risky and out of control behav- Being aware and making responsible choices
ior, college is an easy place for yourself, you are less likely to become a
for these sexual predators to victim and will be free to benefit from all of the
hide. As important as it is to identify these predators in an effort rewards that college truly has to offer you.
reduce sexual assaults, it is equally, if not more important to be well
educated on the dangers of particular college lifestyles and how to www.heatselfdefense.com
keep yourself safe. info@heatselfdefense.com
In a recent College Alcohol Study conducted by the Harvard School
of Public Health, a survey of 6,988 women from 119 different
schools concluded that one in twenty women reported being raped,
and of those women, 72% of them stated they were intoxicated at You gain strength,
the time of the assault. A person is unable to make rational, intelli- courage
gent decisions when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When
intoxicated, one can easily place themselves in compromising and and con dence
dangerous situations. by every experience
Jennifer Johnson in which you really
O W N E R
It is imperative to know your limitations with alcohol. Alcohol affects STOP
everyone differently and at different rates. Be mindful of how much 858-254-9935 to look fear in the face.
you consume and be confident enough to say “No” if you are being info@heatselfdefense.com
peer pressured to drink or do drugs. Have a friend who is designat- www.heatselfdefense.com — Eleanor Roosevelt
ed as the sober person and in charge of your group. Check in with
them often. If you decide to leave the group, always let them know
you are going and with whom.

March/April 2010