Sara Kloepfer

A & E Editor

A colorless, odorless, tasteless pill dissolves into a Coke. The girl drinking it turns to take a sip, not noticing any change, continuing to chat with her charming date. Hours later she is in her date’s bedroom disoriented and vulnerable, and upon waking cannot remember giving her consent.

Date rape — rape situations where the victim is romantically involved with the rapist — is more common than being raped by a stranger. In a study conducted by The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, 84 percent of women interviewed knew their attacker and 57 percent of those raped happened on dates. However, teenagers do not see the danger.

“I don’t think date rape could happen to me because when I think of date rape I picture older women getting date rape drugs put in their drinks at bars,” said junior Genevieve Puccinelli. “My mom has always told me never to leave my drinks open and lying around, so I’m really careful about that at parties.”

This advice is helpful, but there are far more nuanced warning signs women need to look for.

“Most men involved in date rape are at the low end of the spectrum,” said Julie Jenkins, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner at the Women’s Community Clinic. “They don’t intend or plan on it. They would never want to believe that they’re capable of rape, but they end up in a situation where they flip the understanding to see it as coercion of a drunk girl.”

Jenkins advises to have a buddy system at parties, especially if alcohol or drugs are involved.

“If women are drinking or taking drugs, that puts them in a compromised position,” said Jenkins. “Their judgment is impaired, they’re physically not as capable, and they’re easier to convince and overtake. Have a designated non-drinker to keep an eye on you. If you’re interested in someone, that’s one thing, but it’s also good to stay together and tell your friends what you’re up to.”

A woman’s highest risk of date rape is during her freshman year of college. Date rape is most prevalent in college because women are on their own in a new environment where it is common to meet new people while drinking or at parties.

“One of every four women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime,” said Jenkins. “Young women need to be pro-active in their defense.”

The most important precaution to take is for women to be clear about what kind of relationship they want with another person.

“We need to change social norms around behavior and consent, so there is a clearer line between consent and rape,” said Jenkins.

Once a woman is raped, the recovery process can be long and difficult. Victims can undergo post-traumatic stress, which can include trust and fear issues, flashbacks, or depression.

“It can take a while before you feel comfortable being sexual again,” said Jenkins, who has worked with rape victims in that past, providing forensics exams and rape kits.

Women who want to press charges after the assault must go through a forensic exam within 24 hours. Jenkins says most women are not ready to undergo such an extensive exam so soon afterwards, as evidenced only 26 percent of all rape is reported, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

“It’s most important to find a support group,” said Jenkins. “The best thing to do is talk about it. It brings you to a place where you realize it’s not your fault, which can make recovery time faster.”

San Francisco Women Against Rape provides a 24-hour crisis line — 647-RAPE.