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Peterellis.org.nz
Home / Moral Panics / Drug
Rape urban myth Drug-rapes
- Taranaki Hysteria December 2006 |
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In less than one week, seven young
women have reported being drugged and raped in Taranaki. The spate of attacks has sparked a
warning from police and rape crisis centres for women and men to watch their
drinks. Since last Friday an unprecedented
seven women have reported to regional rape crisis centres that they were
drugged and raped. The young women's stories have
horrified sex abuse counsellors. "We are taking this very,
very seriously. This is really scary stuff," New Plymouth Safer Centre
spokeswoman Lorraine Jans said. All had been to pubs or hotels
with a group of friends on either Thursday, Friday or Saturday night in
Stratford or New Plymouth. "The common thread is that they
are at a bar having a drink. "They have been with friends
– none have been on their own. "The next thing, they are
waking up in all sorts of different locations and finding evidence of being
raped." Ms Jans says the women have no
memory of the night's events but they believe they have been drugged in bars.
Police, Safer Centre and Hawera
Rape Crisis have now joined forces to issue an alert, she says. "Because of the large
numbers, we want to let people know this is happening. We want young women –
and men as well – not to let people they don't know buy them drinks, nor to
leave their drinks unattended. "We don't want any more
victims." The warning is also a message to
the women's attackers. Ms Jans believes that a gang of
men could be behind the attacks and they might be planning their next move. "Our worry is that these guys
are targeting bars. We want the message out there that we are on to you guys.
"We are not going to let you
get away with it." The drugs have not been
identified, but police and Ms Jans say a variety of stupefying medications
are in circulation. At least one of the victims was a
teetotaller. Of the seven victims, one is
expected to lay a complaint with police and the others are considering the
same action. It is possible the seven are only
the tip of the iceberg, Ms Jans says. She urges other victims to come
forward and seek support by phoning 0800 472 496. She also advises that anyone
acting strangely or confused is not necessarily drunk. They may have been
drugged and need help. Effects of drug rape on the
victims were far-reaching. They would wonder what was done to them and who
did it. They would be frightened, not able to sleep and be constantly looking
over their shoulder, Ms Jans says. Detective Sue Ashton, of the
sexual abuse team, said police were considering an operation. Safer had made police aware of the
seven victims. Efforts were being made to establish any pattern. "Once we've got all the
information, we will look at what we need to do." Taranaki publicans and bar
managers spoken to by the Taranaki Daily News had not heard of the rape
allegations, but say staff are always vigilant. Bertie Burleigh, who owns Peggy
Gordons in New Plymouth and O'Donoghue's in Stratford, says staff are always
on the lookout for anything unusual. Anyone doing anything dodgy usually
stands out, he says. People are aware of their own
safety and tend not to leave their drinks unattended. "We've not had any incidents,
but you pick out people pretty quickly if they are mucking around," Mr
Burleigh said. Breakers Cafe And Bar duty manager
Cameron Burt says that if staff notice anyone acting strangely, they approach
them. They are trained to look out for drink spiking and there are warnings
in the pub. Jacqui Waller, duty manager at
Matinee, says women will often ask bar staff to put drinks behind the bar for
them to watch if they are going to the toilet. Brent Cudby, from Hawera's Rough
Habits Sports Bar and Cafe, says while it is difficult to monitor everyone's
drinks, footage from cameras inside the bar could be looked at if there is a
concern about drink spiking. |
