MamasHealth.com Home Sexual Health Abstinence Consequences of rape Date rape Delayed puberty Finding time for sex Friends with benefits Help! The condom broke Lost sex drive Managing sexual side effects of medicine Marital rape Menstrual problems Puberty Safe sex Sex and pregnancy Sex after pregnancy Sex in the golden years Sex on prom night Sexual abuse Sperm Donors Sperm Donation Expect Virginity Links Email Mama Friends with benefits Pre-marital sex Why guys don't call Relationships Sex and relationship advice from Madison Grey Sign up for the MamasHealth Newsletter	Date Rape When most people think of rape, they might think of a stranger jumping out of a shadowy place and sexually attacking someone. Rape by a stranger is not the only type of rape. Unfortunately, about half of all people who are raped know the person who raped them. What is rape? Rape is a form of assault involving the non-consensual use of the sexual organs of another person's body. Even though rape involves forced sex, rape is not about sex or passion. Rape is an act of aggression and violence. Men and women Girls and women are most often raped, but guys can also be raped. An estimated 7% to 10% of rape victims are male. Who's fault is rape? You may hear some people say that I person who was raped "asked for it" because of the clothes they wore or the way they acted. The person who is raped is not to blame. Rape is always the fault of the rapist. This is also the case when two people are dating, friends with benefits, or in an intimate relationship. One person never owes the other person sex. Alcohol, drugs and rape Alcohol is often involved in date rapes. Alcohol affects men and women differently. Drinking can loosen inhibitions, dull common sense, and - for some people - allow aggressive tendencies to surface. Drugs may also play a role in rape. Certain types of drugs like rohypnol ("roofies"), gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), and ketamine have been called "date rape" drugs. Drugs like these can easily be mixed in drinks to make a person black out and forget things that happen. Both girls and guys who have been given or taken these drugs report feeling paralyzed, having blurred vision, and lack of memory. Protect yourself against rape Tips to protect yourself against rape: Avoid secluded places until you trust your partner. Don't spend time alone with someone who makes you feel uneasy or uncomfortable. Stay sober and aware. Know what you want. Go out with a group of friends and watch out for each other. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you feel threatened. Take self-defense courses. What to do if you are raped If you're raped, here are some things that you can do: If you're injured, go straight to the emergency room - most medical centers and hospital emergency departments have doctors and counselors who have been trained to take care of someone who has been raped. Call or find a friend, family member, or someone you feel safe with and tell them what happened. If you want to report the rape, call the police right away. Preserve all the physical evidence. Don't change clothes or wash. Write down as much as you can remember about the event. If you aren't sure what to do, call a rape crisis center. Your local phone book will have hotline numbers.	Featured Book
	Health Topic: Tummy Tuck Surgery: What No One Tells You Medicare Part D: Everything you need to know Finding time for sex How to choose the best weight loss program Easy flirting tips How to deal with a stubborn husband or boyfriend Surviving a financial crisis Save money in the kitchen Inexpensive health insurance
	Information obtained from MamasHealth.com™ should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner, nor should it be inferred as such. Always check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about a specific condition. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use. Contact us: PO Box 2170, Pasadena, CA 91102-2170 If you want a review of your product featured on MamasHealth.com, let us know. ©2000 - 2008 MamasHealth.com™. All rights reserved