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Peterellis.org.nz
Home / Moral Panics / Drug Rape urban myth Drug-rapes - Taranaki Hysteria December 2006 |
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Publicity about unprecedented numbers of drug-rapes in Taranaki pubs
and bars has resulted in an additional 23 reported throughout the country. Rape crisis centres now believe
the women may be only the tip of the iceberg of what is occurring in the
community. However, police are frustrated
that only a small percentage are reporting the crimes to them. Taranaki rape crisis centres
issued a public alert last week when nine Stratford and New Plymouth women
told them they had been drug-raped between November 30 to December 3. One such victim has asked for her
angry, anguished reaction to be published in the Taranaki Daily News. Detective Sergeant Blair Burnett,
of Hawera, says two Stratford women have now come forward to tell police
about alleged drug-rapes. One complainant went to the Hawera
emergency department to be tested. Her blood results had been sent to
ESR (the Institute of Environmental and Scientific Research) for analysis. But it could be weeks, or months,
before the results are known, Mr Burnett says. Until then there is no lead on
what drug may have been used, he says. Both cases will be handed on to
Stratford CIB for investigation. Mr Burnett says that in order to
make progress, police need to hear from the other women who believe they have
been drug-raped. "It's certainly a
worry," Mr Burnett said. Safer Centre spokeswoman Lorraine
Jans says she is relieved that their public warning appears to have worked as
no more victims have come forward since last weekend. Hawera Rape Crisis, which runs a
nationwide call centre, has now heard from another 23 drug-rape victims from
across the country who have rung in as a result of the publicity. "They are from all over:
Christchurch, Morrinsville, Wellington," Ms Jans said. She believed there were many more
out there who were too distressed to ask for help. "I think, because of the
confusion, they aren't reporting it." Most had occurred at bars, and a
few were at parties, HRC manager Pam Bassett says. Their stories are very
distressing, she says. "I don't doubt these women
are genuine. They are losing great periods of time," Ms Bassett says. But Mr Burnett says while some
reports were undoubtedly true, it is also possible some had had too much
alcohol – which can also cause memory loss – and were looking for someone or
something to blame. "Just because you can't
remember two hours doesn't mean you've been drug-raped. Some of them may be
looking for something to justify being in that situation. But I'm sure there
are still some legitimate concerns." |
