DRUG RAPES ON THE RISE

Sexual Predators Armed With Drugs Are Increasingly Stalking Night Spots,
Police Warn.

In the latest case, police suspect a 21-year-old woman's drink was spiked
with the designer drug GBH (Fantasy) at a central Wellington bar early on
Saturday.

Luckily, friends noticed she had become ill and took her from the bar
before a sexual attack could take place, Detective Sergeant Tim Leitch said.

Samples had been taken from the woman to confirm if Fantasy was involved.

Mr Leitch said police had received a spate of drug-rape complaints in the
past month and had recently arrested a man for a drug-assisted sexual
violation. A Wellington bar manager also reported last week that two women
believed their drinks were spiked.

"The anecdotal evidence suggests this is happening more often," Mr Leitch said.

"I got a call from another woman earlier this week saying she believed her
drink had been spiked. Unfortunately, traces of the drug pass through the
body very quickly meaning the investigation of such offences can be difficult."

People should take a urine sample as soon as possible if they believed they
had been drugged. Bar staff and women should be extra vigilant.

Drug Rape Trust chairwoman Jenny Fenton said people should report incidents
even if they were too late for tests.

"The people that are doing this are serial offenders and seem to think it's
all a game."

Ms Fenton said there had also been several cases of men being raped while
under the influence of drugs.

"This can affect everyone and people just need to look out for their
friends and make sure they are not left alone or wander off with someone."

She said the ease with which people could buy recreational drugs had
boosted drug-rape cases.

"We have seen a lot of middle-class white men involved in this because they
have the money and easy access to the drugs."

Fantasy was listed last year as the most common cause of drug poisoning
seen at Auckland Hospital, where staff were treating 10 to 14 patients a
weekend.