Drug-mediated sexual assault

Psychoactive substances may be given to a potential victim to alter their behaviour or conscious state. This problem is not new; alcohol has been used alone or in combination with other substances to the same effect. Doctors involved in the examination of complainants of sexual assault need to be aware of the effects of the drugs that may be used and ensure that a detailed history, examination and the appropriate specimens are taken. This report describes a series of incidents involving drug-mediated sexual assault and outlines the dilemmas that accompany such incidents.