Most college students who are sexually assaulted are victimized by someone they know. Although stranger rapes occur, acquaintance rape is by far the more prevalent form of sexual violence among college students.

Acquaintance Rape/Date Rape/Non-Stranger Rape is forced, unwanted sexual intercourse with a person you know. It can be someone you have just met, or dated a few times, or someone you used to date. It is a violation of your body and your trust. The force involved can come from threats or tone of voice, as well as from physical force or weapons.

Campus Rape are sexual assaults that occur on college campuses (e.g., in residence halls, libraries, parking lots, walkways) and other locations that are considered to be part of the campus community (e.g., cooperative housing, fraternities, and sororities) are often referred to as "campus rapes."
-The Rape Treatment Center at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center

Alcohol Use and Sexual Assault

A majority of the sexual assaults experienced by college students occur in situations involving drinking - - by the survivor, the assailant, or both.

The definitions of rape and sexual assault include having sex with someone who is unable to consent because he or she is intoxicated, drugged, or unconscious. For example, if a person has sex with someone who is unable to consent, or is prevented from resisting, because of the effects of alcohol or other drugs, it can be considered rape or sexual assault if the person knew, or reasonably should have known, that the survivor was mentally and/or physically incapacitated.

Often survivors who have been drinking and/or using drugs at the time of a sexual assault have intense feelings of self-blame. They are also more likely to encounter blaming responses from other people.

A survivor is NEVER responsible for a sexual assault. The responsibility for rape rests completely with the assailant.

Even if the person who assaulted you had been drinking and/or using drugs, he/she is still responsible for his/her behavior. Being drunk is not an excuse for committing any criminal acts, including sexual assault.

Date Rape Drugs

The most common date rape drug is alcohol. Rohypnol, GHB and Ketamine are considered date rape drugs because of their sedative effects. These drugs are also referred to as "predatory" drugs.

These drugs are often undetectable as they are odorless and colorless when mixed with water. The drugs tend to have a salty taste, but, when mixed with alcohol, soda, or other beverages, they are virtually undetectable. The drugs also metabolize quickly in the body leaving little physical evidence that an attack occurred. These drugs can also cause "blackouts" or "anterograde amnesia" which means a person may not remember events they experienced while under the effects of the drug.