The involvement of drugs and alcohol in drug-facilitated sexual assault: a systematic review of the evidence

Trauma Violence Abuse. 2008 Jul;9(3):178-88. doi: 10.1177/1524838008320221.

Abstract

The rate of drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA; when an incapacitating drug is administered surreptitiously to facilitate sexual assault) is perceived to be increasing in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, causing international concern. This article examines evidence that quantifies the contribution of drugs in instances of alleged DFSA, identifies the substances involved, and discusses the implications of these findings. Of 389 studies examined, 11 were included in this review. The only study to consider covert drugging reported that 2% of alleged DFSA cases were attributable to surreptitious drug administration. Other studies failed to remove voluntary drug consumption from their cohort, biasing results. A study by the United Kingdom's National Forensic Services found no evidence to suggest that flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) had been used for DFSA during its 3-year investigation. In the United States, flunitrazepam is used recreationally, providing a likely explanation for its presence in samples of some alleged DFSA victims.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Alcohol-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / blood
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / urine
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Female
  • Forensic Medicine / methods
  • Humans
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / blood
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / urine
  • Illicit Drugs / blood
  • Illicit Drugs / urine
  • Male
  • Rape / diagnosis
  • Rape / statistics & numerical data*
  • Research Design
  • Sex Offenses / classification
  • Sex Offenses / statistics & numerical data*
  • Substance Abuse Detection / methods
  • Substance Abuse Detection / statistics & numerical data*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / diagnosis*
  • United Kingdom
  • United States

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Depressants
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Illicit Drugs