Bibliographies
Australian materials are indexed in the Australian Family and Society Abstracts Database and are available for loan from the ACSSA collection at the Australian Institute of Family Studies library. Online publications in PDF format require Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Drug and Alcohol Facilitated Sexual Assault
Australian publications
Beyond drink spiking: drug and alcohol facilitated sexual
assault.
Neame, Alexandra
Briefing: Australian Centre for the Study
of Sexual Assault no.2 Nov 2003: 1-11, and Online
Current media
representations of drink spiking tend to ignore the realities of most
sexual assaults that occur in the context of heavy alcohol consumption.
The author of this paper states that to avoid the re-emergence of
victim-blaming stereotypes, drink spiking must be situated in the broader
context of drug and alcohol facilitated sexual assault. Australian data
sources on the prevalence of drug and alcohol facilitated sexual assault
are discussed, followed by an exploration of media responses to this
issue. Awareness and prevention approaches that treat drugs and alcohol
as weapons are then presented.
Dangerous drink spiking archetypes.
Lawson, Sheri; Olle, Liz.
Women
Against Violence - An Australian Feminist Journal no.18
2005 - 2006: 46-55
This paper aims to
promote fresh perspectives on prevention strategies
through an exploration of Australian responses to drug
and alcohol facilitated sexual assault and by examining
the conceptual limitations of situating voluntary drug
and alcohol use outside a drug and alcohol facilitated
sexual assault paradigm. There are inherent contradictions
in prevention campaigns aimed at minimising women's
'risk behaviour': they fail to uphold the rights of
victim survivors and to hold perpetrators accountable.
Australian approaches to drink spiking thus far have
been inadequate in addressing the issue of drug and
alcohol facilitated sexual assault, and have offered
little in the way of prevention approaches. This article
explores Australian campaigns to date and ways forward
in effective prevention. (Journal abstract, edited)
Drink-spiking and sexual assault: innovative approaches to a
difficult problem.
Costello, Mayet; Blyth,
Caroline.
Australian Social Work v.57 no.3 Sept
2004: 247-258, table, figures
The Sutherland Drink-Spiking
Project is a collaborative interagency project initiated by the Southern
Sydney Sexual Assault Service. Focusing on selected intervention as well
as primary and secondary prevention with drink-spiking and sexual assault
in southern Sydney, this project is distinctive due to its primary focus
on perpetrators, potential perpetrators and their peers. Beyond this, the
project also provided an opportunity for social workers to meaningfully
engage with and apply innovative project management practice. This is
notable since reform initiatives in public sector agencies in New South
Wales are encouraging the use of project management practice and social
workers need to engage with these 'new directions' or risk becoming
marginalised. This paper explores The Sutherland Drink-Spiking Project
and demonstrates how applying a project management methodology benefited
social work practice. (Journal abstract)
Drink
spiking: dicussion paper. (PDF 192K)
Australia. Attorney-General's Department.
Standing Committee of
Attorneys-General. Model Criminal Code Officers'
Committee
Barton, ACT: Attorney-General's Department,
April 2006, 38p
This discussion
paper was produced by the Model Criminal
Code Committee
(MCCOC) as part of a review of the criminal
law relating to drink spiking.
After reviewing recent findings about drink
spiking, it examines the extent to
which existing offences in Australian jurisdictions
criminalise drink spiking
as well as the historical basis for relevant
criminal provisions in each state
and territory jurisdiction. The paper also
critiques the reforms and various
initiatives that have been implemented by
states and territories to date. It
concludes that there appears to be no gap
in the criminal law as it applies to
very serious offences, and that there is
no warrant for having just one 'drink
spiking' offence. Arguing that the weakness
in the law lies at the least
serious end of the scale, it recommends that
all Australian jurisdictions
enact an offence of 'mere' drink spiking
(without further intent).
Domestic violence incidence peaks:
seasonal factors, calendar events and sporting matches. (PDF 908K)
Braaf, Rochelle; Gilbert, Robyn.
Sydney,
NSW: Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse, 2007, 20p,
tables (Stakeholder paper no.2), and Online
Some studies and anecdotal evidence suggest a rise in domestic violence
at certain times of year or with certain public events. This paper
presents findings from a study on the possible relationship between
seasonal changes and weather, public holidays, and football events and
reported domestic violence incidents. After discussing international
studies, the authors examine Australian state statistics on domestic
violence, assault, sexual assault, homicide, domestic violence orders,
and alcohol related assaults, for 2003 to 2005. Incidents are compared
with public holidays including Christmas and New Years Day, days of the
week, football finals, and the rising temperature of summer. The evidence
suggest some correlation, which has implications for policing and
prevention strategies. The authors stress that these factors do not cause people to become violent, but are instead associated with increased
alcohol consumption, interpersonal and child contact, and opportunities
for violence.
Drugs,
alcohol and sexual assault. (Word 63K)
Forbes, Tricia
In:
Practice and prevention: contemporary issues in adult
sexual assault conference. Sydney, NSW: NSW Attorney-General's
Department, Crime Prevention Division, 2003, Online
only
STRAWs (Safer Times Round Albury Wodonga for
Women) is a project conducted in the non metropolitan,
cross border region of Albury Wodonga. It aims
to reduce violence against women in and around licensed
premises; to promote safe licensed venues for women;
to develop and enhance awareness of women's public
safety issues in the Albury Wodonga area; and to
engage the whole community in helping to ensure that
their community is safe. The authors discuss the
background of the project, how the project works
and what it has achieved.
Evaluation
of the Sexual Offences Awareness Program
(SOAP). (PDF 1M)
Fletcher, Bevan; Bruce, Fiona; O'Brien, Bev.
Adelaide, SA: Office of Crime Statistics and
Research, 2006, 17p, tables, (Evaluation report), Online
The
Sexual Offences Awareness Program (SOAP) was a school-based
pilot initiative, developed between police, community
services and local schools. It involved two lesson
plans that could be presented by police with teacher
support within secondary schools. It aimed to raise
young people's awareness of sexual assault and dangerous
situations, promote behaviours which would reduce their
exposure to potential assaults, and advise them of
the rights of and support services for victims of sexual
assault. The evaluation was based primarily on pre
and post surveys administered to students which measured
changes in knowledge, attitudes and behaviours, particularly
in relation to parties and events involving alcohol
and drug use.
Hearing the voices of homeless young
women: safety and human rights issues for
young women experiencing homelessness.
Zufferey, Carole.
Parity v.20 no.1 Feb
2007: 35-36
Violence against women is a key contributing
factor in causing and perpetuating women's homelessness in Australia.
Young homeless women as a group are particularly vulnerable to physical
and sexual assaults. This article advocates the incorporation of
suggestions from young homeless women about the service responses that
would be most useful to them. Research done with such women shows that
they want: access to safe, permanent and affordable accommodation;
educational and employment opportunities; affordable and quality child
care; access to drug and alcohol, mental health and counselling
assistance. Australia should be providing these services as part of its
international human rights obligations.
Inter-agency
responses to sexual assault. (PDF 19K)
Brazier, J; Killey, C; Promnitz, J
Canberra, ACT: Australian Institute of Criminology,
Previous Conferences - Paper presented at the conference
The Character, Impact and Prevention of Crime in
Regional Australia, Townsville, August 2001, 5p,
Online only
The Sexual Assault
Response Reference Group in Townsville was established
with a number of purposes in mind: to co-ordinate
an integrated approach for survivors of sexual violence;
to provide input into, and feedback on, government
policy and legislation, and to work pro-actively
on prevention strategies. This paper outlines the
history of the group's establishment, and describes
the inter-agency relationships, protocols, and achievements,
which include the production of a training video,
action taken to deal with drug facilitated rape,
and community education.
Intoxication
and criminal responsibility. (PDF 1.9M)
Tasmanian Law Reform Institute,
Final Report No 7, August 2006.
This report addresses the questions of when,
and in what ways, an accused’s state of intoxication
(whether by alcohol or drugs) is relevant
to their trial for a criminal offence. Kate Warner
makes 13 recommendations for reform including the key
recommendation that evidence of intoxication
should be relevant to any mental element, including
intention, knowledge, foresight of consequences and
whether the act was voluntary or intentional.
National
project on drink spiking : investigating
the nature and extent of drink spiking
in Australia.
Taylor,
Natalie; Prichard, Jeremy; Charlton, Kate
Canberra, ACT: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2004, 167p,
tables, figures, and Online
Knowledge about drink spiking in Australia is currently very
limited but there have been suggestions that incidents of drink spiking
have been increasing in recent times. The Australian Institute of
Criminology was commissioned to undertake stage one of a national drink
spiking project on behalf of the Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs.
This first stage focuses on identifying the nature and extent of drink
spiking in Australia and identifying communication and educational
initiatives to prevent and respond to drink spiking. This report
summarises the literature and research to date on drink spiking; analyses
data from a range of sources (including police data and data from a
national telephone hotline conducted with drink spiking victims) to build
an empirical evidence base on drink spiking; highlights what needs to be
done to improve evidence collection and rates of prosecution; summarises
key themes which emerged from discussions with stakeholders; and
identifies potential educational initiatives to prevent and respond to
drink spiking.
Old crime, new modus operandi:
Preventing drug and alcohol assisted sexual assault.
Foote, Wendy; Wangmann, Jane; Braff, Rochelle.
NSW: Crime Prevention Division, Attorney General's Department of
NSW, 2004, 58p.
This report examines the issue of drug and
alcohol assisted sexual assault. It looks at literature from Australian
and International resources, anecdotal information and interviews with
agencies dealing with drug and alcohol assisted sexual assault and
prevention strategies that target young people. Statistics suggest that
at least one in five cases of sexual assault reported in to NSW health
services are drug and alcohol facilitated and anecdotal evidence and
victim surveys suggest that drug and alcohol assisted sexual assault is
an under-reported crime.
Protocol:
a coordinated approach to better respond to drug facilitated sexual assault in Darwin urban.
Northern Territory. Women's Health Strategy Unit
Darwin, NT: Women's Health Strategy Unit, Territory
Health Services, 2004, 29p, Online
Developed as part of a broader project, the first stage
of which was an awareness raising campaign, 'Watch Your Drink, Yourself
and Your Friend', this protocol has been developed to ensure all victims
of drug-facilitated sexual assault receive appropriate treatment and
referrals as required; and to improve the current services provided to
victims/survivors of drug-facilitated sexual assault by promoting better
understanding of the roles and responsibilities of each service provider,
which results in appropriate referrals of victims/survivors. The protocol
includes information about the extent of the problem of drink spiking,
and, as an appendix, a Literature review on drug facilitated sexual
assault by Liz Kasteel.
Spiked
drinks initiatives in NSW. (PDF 60K)
Huxley, Jennifer; Meyers-Brittain, Jillian
Seeking solutions: Australia's inaugural domestic violence
and sexual assault conference, Gold Coast, September 2001 - papers.
Sydney, NSW: Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse, 2001,
16p, Online only
This paper discusses the prevalence of drug and alcohol facilitated
sexual assault through an examination of survey findings and literature
on drink spiking. It then reviews two regional NSW prevention projects
aimed at targeting the problem of drink spiking through community
awareness campaigns and working with licensees and police, as well as a
survey conducted to gather information on the level of awareness about
drink spiking and the prevalence of attacks.
Spiked drinks: 'I'm more worried about getting home on the
train'.
Moreton, R
Youth
Studies Australia v.22 no.3 Sept 2003: 18-24
An increase in reports of drug assisted sexual assault (DASA), including those
involving spiked drinks, has been noted by a range of service providers
across NSW. The project described in this article explores the way young
women use alcohol in social situations, their attitudes towards risk and
safety and, in particular, their perception of the risk of having a drink
spiked. The paper concludes that to have an impact on the incidence of
spiked drinks, health promotion interventions need to be multi strategic
and involve collaboration with stakeholders from different sectors.
(Journal abstract)
Surrendering the night! The seduction of victim blaming in
drug and alcohol facilitated sexual assault prevention
strategies.
Lawson, S; Crookes, S
In: Practice and prevention: contemporary issues in adult sexual
assault conference. Sydney, NSW: NSW Attorney-General's Department, Crime
Prevention Division, 2003, Online only
The authors consider the background of the phenomenon of drink spiking in Australia.
They examine the systemic responses to the crime of drug and alcohol
facilitated sexual assault, with particular reference to a number of
community education poster and information campaigns designed to
highlight the crime of drink spiking or drug and alcohol facilitated
sexual assault. They analyse the messages these campaigns send to various
parties and conclude that they include a fair amount of victim blaming.
They consider the possible effects these campaigns can have on survivors
of drug and alcohol facilitated sexual assault, and consider implications
for the state of women's social action, and for sexual assault services
in relation to drink spiking prevention strategies.
Surrendering the night! The seduction of victim blaming in
drug and alcohol facilitated sexual assault prevention
strategies.
Lawson, S
Women
Against Violence - An Australian Feminist Journal no.13 2002 - 2003:
33-38
This article explores drug and alcohol facilitated
sexual assault in Australia. The background of sexual assault involving
drink spiking in Australia is discussed. Responses to drug and alcohol
facilitated sexual assault are examined with a focus on community
education and information campaigns, as well as the implications of these
campaigns on victim/survivors of drug and alcohol facilitated sexual
assault. Implications for the state of women's social action and sexual
assault services are also discussed.
Take away her freedom, and you could lose yours: the Western
Australian Police Service Drink Spiking Education Project.
Fyfe, Michelle; Newell, Barry
In:
Third Australasian women and policing conference:
women and policing globally, Canberra, October 2002
- papers. Canberra, ACT: Australian Institute of
Criminology, 2002, 6p, Online only
The problem of stupefying women and associated crime (sexual assault, robbery) provides
new challenges for law enforcement officers. A range of prevention
programs have been initiated, which begs the question - what is best
practice in the prevention and enforcement of this crime? Earliest
programs targeted women and promoted protective behaviours, while
subsequent programs formed partnerships with licensed premises to improve
the environment in which the crime occurs. Research suggests that men
must assume their share of responsibility for prevention of the crime and
perpetrators (and potential perpetrators) must be targeted, and that
collection of evidence must be improved. This paper describes the WAPS
Drink Spiking Education Project, which incorporates these measures in a
program that includes: convenience advertising aimed at women;
convenience advertising aimed at men; partnerships with the liquor
industry; updating police on evidence gathering; and peer education. The
project was launched in December 2001 and the paper discusses outcomes so
far, which have included a 75% increase in drink spiking reports to the
police. (Author abstract, edited).
The epidemiology of drug facilitated
sexual assault.
Michael Hurley, Helen Parker,
David L Wells
Journal of Clinical Forensic Medicine Vol 13,
Issue 4, May 2006, pp181-185
The files of the Victorian Institute of Forensic
Medicine were reviewed for all cases of alleged
drug facilitated sexual assault for the 12
month period concluding in April 2003. Seventy-six
cases were identified from a total of 434 (17.5%)
cases of adult sexual assault. The median delay
from alleged incident to time of examination
was 20h. Alcohol consumption in the hours prior
to the assault was reported by 77%. Alcohol was
still present in 37% when subsequently examined,
with an average blood alcohol concentration
of 0.11% at the time of examination.
Forty-nine percent
reported using prescription medications and
26% reported the use of recreational drugs. Drugs
not reportedly consumed by the subject were
detected in 15 cases (20%) of the study group
or 3% of all adult sexual assault cases. The drugs
detected included cannabis (four cases), antidepressants
(4), amphetamines (3), benzodiazepines (4)
and opiates (3).
The study indicates that covert
administration of drugs in the setting of adult
sexual assault appears uncommon. The true incidence
however may be higher (due to non or delayed reporting)
or lower (due to inaccurate self reporting of
drug consumption) however the frequent findings
of high concentrations of alcohol has implications
for the health and safety of these individuals.
The
Right to Party Safely: a report on young
women, sexual violence and licensed premises.
(PDF 1.1M)
Watson, Juliet.
Melbourne, Victoria: (Centre Against Sexual Assault) CASA House,
2000, Online
This report was initiated by CASA House
(Centre Against Sexual Assault) in response to the number of young women
contacting CASA after being sexually assaulted at, or shortly after
leaving licensed premises. Community education campaigns are recommended
as a means to prevent and stop sexual assault under these circumstances.
It is recommended that messages target both men and women, especially
young people as well as licensed premises staff.
The
use of drugs in sexual assault: responding
to the issues. (PDF 24K)
Griffiths, Mark
In:
Seeking solutions: Australia's inaugural domestic
violence and sexual assault conference, Gold Coast,
September 2001 - papers. Sydney, NSW: Australian
Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse, 2001,
7p, Online only
This paper discusses some of the issues around drug assisted sexual assault or drink
spiking. It outlines the responses initiated by the Eastern and Central
Sexual Assault Service (ECSAS) in Sydney, after ECSAS identified
increasing numbers of people claiming to have been sexually assaulted
where drugs were used to facilitate the assault. Issues examined are:
determining when a drug has been used to facilitate a sexual assault and
identifying that drug; legal issues surrounding the investigation and
prosecution of drug assisted sexual assaults; the psychological impact of
sexual assault when a drug has been used. ECSAS's initiatives in
responding to these issues, and future areas for development in responses
are discussed.
Victim credibility in acquaintance rape cases: the influence
of complainant intoxication and expectations about alcohol-involved
sexual behaviour.
O'Brien, Kate;
Goodman-Delahunty, Jane.
In: Moore, K. ed.
Psychology making an impact: proceedings of the Australian Psychological
Society 42nd Annual Conference, 25-29 September 2007, Brisbane, Qld
Melbourne, Vic: Australian Psychological Society, 2007, p302-306 (PDF on
CD-ROM, whole volume 4.4MB)
Victim credibility is the most
influential factor in police and prosecutorial decisions to litigate a
sexual assault claim. Perceived credibility is influenced by situational
factors and social perceptions about what constitutes 'real rape'.
Victim intoxication influences perceptions of sexual assault through
general expectations about one's own behaviour and that of others. This
study investigated the influence of complainant intoxication (sober v
moderately intoxicated) on attributions of blame, responsibility,
credibility, likelihood of charging and conviction in an acquaintance
rape case. Participants were 197 university students and community
volunteers who read controverted 'he said she said' police statements
about an alleged sexual assault. The complainant was perceived as more
credible and less responsible and blameworthy than the defendant.
However, complainant intoxication did not directly influence perceptions
of complainant or defendant credibility, responsibility or blame.
International publications
Alcohol
control policies and violent crime. (PDF
100K)
Benson, Bruce L., Rasmussen, David W. and Zimmerman, Paul R.
National Institute of Justice Journal no.249 Jul 2003: 29-30.
Detection
of 'date-rape' drugs in hair and urine,
final report. (PDF 192K)
Negrusz, Adam
Report prepared for National Institute of Justice, 2003.
Drug-facilitated, Incapacitated, and Forcible Rape: A National Study
Kilpatrick, Dean; Resnick, Heide; Ruggiero, Kenneth; Conoscenti, Lauren M. and McCauley, Jenna. 2007.
This study provides important information regarding the lifetime prevalence, past year prevalence, characteristics, and mental health impact of rape among adult women residing in U.S. households as well as among U.S. female college students.
Drug-facilitated
rape: looking for the missing pieces. (PDF
344K)
Fitzgerald, Nora and Riley, K Jack
National Institute of Justice Journal Apr 2000: 9-15.
He Got Himself Drunk - What Did He Think Was Going to Happen?
Braxton, Gordon. 2007.
This article discusses holding the sexual perpetrator accountable for sexual assault, rather than pointing the finger at the victim, particularly when alcohol is involved. He stresses that alcohol is not an excuse for sexual assault, nor is it a reason to put the blame on the victim.
Prosecuting Alcohol-Facilitated Sexual Assault
Teresa P. Scalzo, Teresa P. 2007.
This monograph discusses the prosecution of alcohol-facilitated sexual assault (AFSA) with a specific focus on AFSA when the victim is voluntarily intoxicated.