Youth group warns of drug rape

A variety of drugs have been implicated in rape

Young people in Northern Ireland have been warned to be wary of drug rapists in the run up to Christmas.

The warning has come from the Youth Forum which discussed the dangers of drug rape at its seventh public meeting in Belfast on Saturday.

Drug rapists - men who rape after drugging their victim - usually strike in pubs and clubs.

It only takes a second to drop a potent and fast-dissolving sedative into a drink. However, minutes later the victim is rendered helpless.

The prescription drug Rohypnol is the most commonly used sedative, but other drugs such as Diazepam and Temazepam are also used.

Davis Turkington: Advice on drinking

Davis Turkington from Dunlewey Substance Advice Unit said if a drink had been left unattended for any period of time just "write it off, buy another one".

"Be aware that this is happening and keep yourself with a group of friends and all look out for each other. Keep yourself safe," he said.

Grania Long from Queen's University of Belfast Students' Union said the Youth Forum wanted to take a more preventative attitude to the crime.

"As Women's Officer last year, I did have a couple of girls who came to me.

Grania Long: Women have come to her about the problem

"They were not actually students, they were just people who were friends of students and came to me about this."

In a statement, the Northern Ireland Youth Forum said that it was "essential that we all increase awareness on this subject, and hopefully prevent attacks over the festive period".

The Belfast event took place as Brookside star Suzanne Collins backed a separate campaign to break the silence surrounding sexual and domestic violence against women.

The actress, who played drug rape victim Nikki Shadwick in the TV soap, spoke out for women who suffer in secrecy, to mark White Ribbon Day, the International Day Against Violence Towards Women.

'Abuse suffered'

She told how her role had provided hope to thousands of victims.

She said: "I know from stacks of letters I received that playing Nikki Shadwick has helped girls across the country who identified with her and her battle to win through the abuse she suffered.

"I wholeheartedly support White Ribbon Day because if it helps save just one life it has made a difference."

The charity Womankind Worldwide was behind the event. It works globally to tackle major problems such as domestic and sexual violence, rape as a weapon of war, female circumcision and female infanticide.

Various events took place around the world to mark the occasion, including a 12-hour festival by women circus performers in New Zealand and the production of a promotional video featuring male celebrities in Croatia.

Men's violence against women causes more deaths and disability among women under 44 than cancer, malaria or war, according to a World Bank discussion paper published in 1994.