What is rape and date rape?
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Rape is sex you don’t agree to, including forcing a body part or object into your vagina, rectum (bottom), or mouth. Date rape is when you are raped by someone you know, like a boyfriend. Both are crimes. Rape is not about sex — it is an act of power by the rapist and it is alwayswrong.
Date rape drugs, which often have no smell or taste, can be given to you without you knowing at parties or in a club — especially where alcohol is served.
Alcohol can make you less aware of danger and make you less able to think clearly and resist sexual assault. If you are given date rape drugs, you may not be able to say "no" to unwanted sex and you may not be able to clearly remember what happened.
Remember: even if you were drinking, it is NOT your fault.
What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault and abuse is any kind of sexual activity that you do not agree to, including:
- inappropriate touching
- vaginal, anal, or oral sex
- sex that you say ‘no’ to
- rape
- attempted rape
- child molestation
Sexual assault can be verbal, visual, or anything that forces a person to join in unwanted sexual contact or attention. Examples of this are voyeurism (when someone watches private sexual acts), exhibitionism (when someone exposes him/herself in public), incest (sexual contact between family members), and sexual harassment. It can happen in different situations, by a stranger in an isolated place, on a date, or in the home by someone you know.
What should I know about date rape drugs? 
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Date rape drugs are most commonly used to sexually assault a person. The drugs often have no color, smell, or taste and are easily added to drinks without the victim’s knowledge. These drugs usually cause a person to become helpless — they can hardly move and are not able to protect themselves from being hurt. People who have been given date rape drugs say they felt paralyzed or couldn’t see well, and had black-outs, problems talking, confusion, and dizziness. Date rape drugs can even cause death.
It’s hard to know whether a party, club, or concert you plan to go to will be dangerous. Drugs may not be at every party you go to, but you should still have a plan for keeping yourself and your friends safe no matter what.
- Say "NO" to alcohol. Have water or soda instead.
- Open your own drinks.
- Don’t let other people hand you drinks.
- Keep your drink with you at all times, even when you go to the bathroom.
- Don’t share drinks.
- Don’t drink from punch bowls or other large, common, open containers. They may already have drugs in them.
- Don’t drink anything that tastes, looks, or smells strange. Sometimes, GHB tastes salty.
- Always go to a party, club, or concert with someone you trust, such as a friend or an older brother or sister.
- Stay away from "party drugs." They can be pills, liquids, or powders. These drugs can also leave you disoriented and vulnerable.
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