Preventing Rape by Intoxication
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Face the facts: If she's wasted, intoxicated, asleep, or unconscious, she cannot give legal consent, even if she said "yes"
- Face the law: Rape by intoxication is a serious felony that can carry 8 years in state prison
- If your friend tries to take advantage of a woman who is too intoxicated or passed out, tell him to stop and explain that it's illegal and not right
- Pay attention to the warning signs including: slurred speech, staggered walk, lack of motor skills, loud speech, vomiting, passing out, falling asleep, and unconsciousnes
Protecting Yourself
- Have a safety plan for you and each member of your group to get home
- Drink responsibly - binge drinking is dangerous to your health, and could make you the perfect target for a sexual assault
- Decide ahead of time how much you can safely drink while maintaining your good judgment. Stick to that limit
- Don't accept a drink that is open, as you risk ingesting a date rape drug
- Never leave an intoxicated friend unattended, and make sure that you can count on the same for you. Help your friend by giving her water to prevent dehydration, and putting her on her side to avoid choking on vomit. If symptoms worsen, call 911 as she could have alcohol poisoning
- Always lock your doors and windows, and if you are looking after a friend, make sure that doors and windows are locked before you leave
Getting Help as a Victim
- Call a crisis hotline to get help
- Preserve evidence: don't bathe, douche, urinate, eat, drink, smoke, gargle, brush teeth, chew gum
- Understand this is NOT your fault: there's a whole network of professionals ready to help you
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