STUDENTS RAISE DATE-RAPE AWARENESS

Nurses-In-Training Take Action To Inform Others About Dangers At
Local Clubs And Bars

Three Langara College student nurses are determined to raise
awareness about date rape drugs and sexual assaults after their
friend was victimized.

Student Nurses for Clean Drinks formed in 2004 when a friend of three
nursing students, Marissa, Jennifer, and Thalia, was drugged and
assaulted. After the assault, the three women realized something
needed to be done.

The group now raises awareness and promotes safety for those who
visit bars and clubs. They are planning to raise money for flyers
from a bake sale in A building on Feb. 17, 2006.

SNCD works with the Vancouver Police Department, and does not
publicize their last names for security reasons.

One message that Marissa said is often overlooked is that everyone,
not just women, are susceptible to date rape and assaults.

"Some people always think that it's only men who are the
perpetrators, but we're aware that its men and women. It's typical
for us to think of 'the bad guy,' but the more aware we are that it
can be everyone and happen to everyone, the safer we are."

Second-year Langara arts and science student Jennifer Tremblay said
she isn't aware of the risk of date rape. "Honestly, it never crosses
my mind, but I'm naturally cautious so I don't leave my drinks unattended."

Tamara Gorin, a Langara student and former Vancouver Rape Relief
collective member, said that what SNCD is doing is commendable, but
more attention should be focused on why men are drugging women's
drinks. She added that another way to prevent drug related assaults
is to have police officers at club entrances to confiscate any drugs from men.

Last year, SNCD was out talking to people in lineups at bars, and
also speaking to high school students to make them aware of the
problem. "We want to look at what we call 'perceived risk,' we're
trying to understand how adolescents perceive themselves at risk for
this crime. If we can understand where they're coming from then we
can make better interventions to educate," said Marissa. Their
website is studentnurses.4t.com.