Drugs – Date Rape
While Rape Crisis focuses particularly on the needs and rights of women and girls, and on providing specialist services within women-only safe spaces, we of course recognise that boys and men also experience sexual violence, and that the impacts of sexual violence on the lives of boys and men are no less devastating and can be just as wide-ranging and long-term.
If you need to talk to a specialist service, you can contact the #5MillionMen
National Male Survivors Helpline: 0808 800 5005
Find out more about this service at the Safeline website here.
Other support for men & boys:
Men’s Advice Line – for men experiencing domestic violence and abuse
napac (the national association for people abused in childhood)
The Next Step Counseling & Training and Small Wonder Books: US-based on-line support and resources for male survivors
David Platt is drugged and sexually assaulted after a night out, by his new friend Josh Tucker.
Josh acts as if David wanted to have sex with him, even after admitting to spiking his drink with GHB. David is so shocked he can hardly talk.
Ryan Clayton plays Josh Tucker in Coronation Street and takes part in the most controversial storyline yet as it focuses on male rape. Ryan shares how the storyline has led to an increase in people coming forward and seeking help about their own cases.
Evidence suggests that 12% of all rape victims are men. Yet we know it is common for men not to come forward or to take years to report being a victim because they fear not being believed, feel alone and worry people will blame them for what’s happened.
Male rape only became a crime in England and Wales in 1994. Since then awareness has grown and recently popular soap Hollyoaks included a controversial storyline where character John Paul was raped. Yet male rape and sexual abuse still remain a largely taboo issue.
Actor James Sutton, who plays John Paul, is interviewed here alongside Duncan Craig, a survivor himself who has gone on to help others as the CEO of Survivors Manchester, an organisation set up to support male victims.
The Ministry of Justice believes that all survivors, boys and girls, men and women are entitled to receive the best possible response to their needs whether or not they choose to report. We provide funds to help all victims of sexual violence, and are keen to support work to raise awareness of these difficult to report crimes.
Join us in helping to #breakthesilence.
Date Rape: Legal Advice
What to do if you have been drugged and ‘date raped’
1. Write Everything Down
Despite the fact that you may be very confused, it is a good idea to write down everything you can remember concerning what happened. Times, dates, places, everything no matter how vague it may seem. If possible write down the names or descriptions of everyone you think was involved. Try to remember what clothing was worn, what words were said, and any details about the location.
As time passes your memory will become clearer, continue to write things down as and when you remember them.
Do not allow anyone to hypnotise you, or to suggest to you what might have happened. This could be used as a defence by your rapist.
2. Medical Advice
Despite the fact that you may be in a state of shock, do not let a doctor give you any form of sedative as it could confuse any forensic evidence which may help to support your story.
3. The Police
The police find drug related rape cases very difficult and it is important that they accept you as a credible victim. A confused approach might be misinterpreted by them.
Do not go to the police by yourself. Contact your family solicitor.
Alternatively contact the Law Society who can recommend someone to you. If you would rather go with a parent or a member of your family let them read this information first.
Insist that the Police Doctor examines you thoroughly, taking swabs from every aspect of your body. You may not know where you have been abused.
4. Personal Hygiene.
If you have had a shower or a bath, don’t worry, this does not destroy DNA testing. But whatever you do, if you have voluntary sex before you are examined, tell the doctor your partners name so it can be eliminated.
Do not perm or colour your hair but ask the police surgeon to take forensic samples. It is thought that traces of date rape drugs can be found in hair and in nails.
In order to ensure that the evidence and your memory of the attack is first hand, consider counselling only after you have given the police as full a report of the attack as you can.
When you are ready ask your family doctor to refer you to a councillor or psychiatrist who specialises in sexual abuse.
Source: Urban75
Few male victims ever talk about rape. But this brave man is speaking out.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the issues in this video, further information and support can be found here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/22VVM5LPrf3pjYdKqctmMXn/information-and-support
Male rape is real and it happens. It is still not a much talked about subject – but here’s a courageous survivor talking about his experience’s and the devastating effect his ordeal had on his life. Please find all the information and helplines in the following links:
Survivors UK: https://www.survivorsuk.org/
Rape Crisis England & Wales: https://rapecrisis.org.uk/supportformenboys.php
The Survivors Trust: http://thesurvivorstrust.org/national-helplines/
Special note:
This site is all about harm reduction. We realise that some people will take drugs no matter what advice they are given. This guide is to be for information purposes only. It is not medical advice. If you are being coerced into taking drugs, or are in any doubt about taking a substance, our advice is to always refuse.