The horrific crime of date rape is normally perpetrated on young ladies (and males), usually of school age. In accordance to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), one particular in 6 ladies will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime, with 73% of victims understanding their assailants. Numerous instances, data rape perpetrators try to tamper with a victim’s drink in order to impair their judgment or to disorient them.
Presently, numerous young folks attempt to use the buddy technique and keep a mindful eye on their drinks when in public settings. A current ad campaign encourages folks to “speak up” if they see a probably hazardous circumstance. Other campaigns inspire people to observe out for each other, especially people who may possibly not be capable to defend themselves (i.e., if they are too drunk to understand the gravity of the predicament). Sadly, nonetheless conscientious you and your friends might be, there is even now a threat.
In an try to deal with this concern, a variety of products are appearing that declare to give some added protection in social circumstances the place drinking is concerned. But, can these new technologies genuinely assist avoid date rape?
Some of these new items involve unique nail polish or lip gloss that can be utilized to detect spiked drinks. An ongoing poll on the attractiveness internet site PopSugar finds that 70% of their readers would use a solution like this to support protect themselves against date rape. In spite of the possible reputation of such items, these technologies do have extreme limitations. Lip gloss answers could not operate with drinks that incorporate particular fruit juices, oily liqueurs, or tonic water. Nail polish solutions have the sanitation problem of needing to location ones finger into the drink itself. As this kind of, neither of these solution categories is generating a enormous effect on the market.
Other merchandise that may well gain a lot more traction consist of an Israeli company’s “swizzle stick” that seems like a straw but lights up if your drink is spiked. Drink Savvy sells cups that check for drugged drinks, hoping to exchange the infamous red Solo cup of university events.
Drink Secure Technologies markets coasters that detect two of the most widespread date rape medicines, GHB and Ketamine. We asked Drink Safe’s president, Lance Norris, why Rohypnol (recognized on the street as “roofie”) wasn’t included. He explained, “Most labs altered the chemical compound of Rohypnol so that it is no longer water soluble. It’s now bitter and has a blue coloring. Simply because of this it’s no longer the principal drug utilised.” He went on to say that, “Statistics display that individuals whose drinks are compromised have a 25% chance of getting sexual assaulted.”
But do these items even have the correct method to the situation? Critics argue that most date rapes really don’t involve the use of medicines other than alcohol. Thus, these inventions might not be as useful as they sound, considering that alcohol itself is the primary drug of choice. A number of individuals may be protected, but do these merchandise reinforce the concept that ladies need to be continuously protecting themselves from unwelcome sexual advances? These tests are a small stage forward but ultimately won’t be as effective in the grand scheme of factors if we proceed to let rapists (97% of whom never ever see a day in jail, in accordance to RAINN) to go unpunished.
Raini Baudendistel, Executive Director of the Crime Victims Support Center in Binghamton, NY, gave her thoughts on the date security items at the moment available. “I believe to generate change, our approach to prevention has to be multifaceted. These items undermine the actuality that alcohol itself is the most commonly utilised drug in drug-facilitated rapes, but if it meant an further layer of protection for MY daughters, I can not argue its use. Eventually, we should come at it from several directions to impact real societal adjust.”
Meghan Whalen, Education/Volunteer Coordinator at the Crime Victims Support Center, additional her standpoint. “I’m not necessarily convinced that this will do as well considerably other than supply false security and function as a Band-Support for the issue. It could arguably supply awareness and schooling on the subject, which is vital, but two-thirds of sexual assaults are perpetrated by a person the victim understands or trusts. Considering this fact, it is unlikely they would even think about testing their drink. I consider it could be valuable against the uncommon stranger rape, but it is not a comprehensive remedy, by any means.”
So although these new technologies might demonstrate constrained promise in rising security, they do not address the leads to of date rape. As folks and as a society, we’re always tempted to identify a silver bullet or magic pill that will straight and simply fix a issue. The leads to and chance variables for date rape run too deep for such simplistic answers as “magic” nail polish or lip-gloss. Technologies itself just isn’t the reply. The tougher but smarter approach is to educate each men and women about preventing and responding to sexual violence.
Rob Szczerba is the CEO of X Tech Ventures. Comply with him on Forbes, Twitter (@RJSzczerba), Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Can New Technologies Really Assist Avoid Date Rape?
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