Sunshine Coast RCMP and community support groups have seen a recent increase in reports of sexual assaults involving the date rape drug. Agencies are urging victims to come forward to seek support.
The number of reports to police of sexual assaults on the Coast has doubled from last year, with a trend in the use of the date rape drug. In 2004, police received 32 reports of sexual assaults. Already this year they have received 30 reports, according to S/Sgt. Brad Zalys.
"We're not talking large numbers here, but when you start seeing almost double the rate, I think that is a concern," Zalys said.
There was one sexual assault report from a male victim last year and none this year, Zalys said.
Police suspect the supply of the drug, gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), which is made in labs, is coming from off the Coast. According to a Health Canada fact sheet, GHB is a colourless, odourless and tasteless liquid that can be slipped into a victim's alcoholic drink.
GHB is a central nervous system depressant, like alcohol, with similar symptoms, including euphoria, drowsiness and dizziness, the fact sheet states, with higher doses causing severe symptoms such as hallucinations, seizures and loss of consciousness. Zalys said the women coming into the detachment report short-term memory loss.
And the numbers reflect only the incidents reported to police. Some women may choose to seek support through community support services or not come forward at all.
"There are always a large number of sexual assaults that go unreported," said Julie Gibson of Family and Sexual Violence Victim Support Services in Sechelt.
There is constant communication and referrals between a network of agencies. The prevention of violence against women co-ordinating committee, made up of representatives from both the police and community-based victim services, the women's counselling service, Yew and Thyme transition houses and St. Mary's Hospital, meets once a month to discuss how to improve services and alert each other of trends.
"There are places you can go for support, and we do respect your choice in how you want to handle it," Gibson said.
The community-based victim support services provide ongoing emotional support, referrals and information about victims' options and rights, Gibson said. She helps victims fill out crime victim assistance applications, for compensation under the Victims of Crime Act, as well as victim impact statements for court. The service also offers accompaniment to the police, courts and hospital.
The RCMP's victim services are based in Sechelt's detachment, providing infor-mation and support. Unlike the community-based service, it has a duty to report to police. Program manager Sylvia Hockley said the date rape drug is the biggest issue she sees right now.
"The date rape drug is suspected in a lot of sexual assaults in which the victim remembers nothing," Hockley said.Police need evidence from a medical examination, so with consent, Hockley said she would refer the victim to St. Mary's."I think it's important to report it so police have information and so the victim can get the support needed," Hockley said.Yew transition house, a seven-bed emergency shelter, also offers victim accompaniment to other agencies. It has a 24-hour access line, where support workers are on call to respond to situations.
"We are available for supporting women personally, with whatever agency they are dealing with," said Eva Boese, Yew's residence supervisor. Yew also runs a support group for young women aged 15 to 19.
Transition house workers are available on call to support women through a medical exam at St. Mary's. The hospital has sexual assault kits for exams, the results of which St. Mary's keeps for a year in case the woman later decides to proceed with criminal charges. The hospital does not have a duty to report sexual assaults to police, unless the victim gives permission, said Viviana Zanocco, Vancouver Coastal Health spokeswoman. St. Mary's would then refer the victim to other agencies if she wanted follow-up support.
The women's counselling service, run by Sunshine Coast Community Services Society, provides individual counselling through agencies or self-referrals. Marj Brown said she's seen an increase in the last year of women coming for counselling who were assaulted after being drugged. She emphasized the importance of seeking support.
"The impact of sexual assault is much more devastating when it isn't dealt with or talked about," Brown said. "It really can happen to anyone."
All the agencies are publicly funded and offer free services.
Support workers say misconceptions about rape are still prevalent among the public and even among some victims that the woman is somehow to blame.
"It's not her fault," Gibson said. She added the perpetrators need to be held accountable. "The only way to stop people from doing it is to come forward."
The agencies' advice to everyone is to always watch their drinks when out at bars or parties and to immediately get help if the effects of alcohol do not feel consistent with how much they drank.
