There is a desperate need to raise students' awareness of drug rape, the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has said.
To highlight the threat, the union started a campaign yesterday in which student union officials will secretly place stickers on glasses to show how drinks could be tampered with without the owners' knowledge. Drugs dropped in victims' drinks can leave them unconscious in minutes or can dramatically reduce their inhibitions. Initially, the victim has little or no recollection of the attack. By the time he or she realises what has happened, it may be too late to get medical evidence.
"From talking to students, it is clear that although many are aware of the subject, very little is known about it," said Ms Alison Gibney, USI welfare officer. "More importantly, even less is known about what they should look out for if they believe they have had their drinks spiked."
Rape crisis centres have recorded increases in suspected drug rapes in the past year. Last year the Belfast Rape Crisis Centre recorded about 150 cases, compared with eight in 1998.
The National Network of Rape Crisis Centres received reports of at least 28 cases from centres in Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Kerry and Sligo last year. Figures for the Dublin centre were not available.
Rohypnol tablets are most commonly used, but other drugs such as liquid ecstasy have been used. The manufacturers of Rohypnol have added a blue dye to the tablet but it is not visible in a dark-coloured drink or coloured bottle.
