Pubdate: Thu, 16 Feb 2006
Source: Voice, The (CN BC Edu)
Copyright: 2006 Langara College
Contact:  http://www.langara.bc.ca/voice/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3592
Author: Andrea Buchko
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?158 (Club Drugs)

STUDENTS RAISE DATE-RAPE AWARENESS

Nurses-In-Training Take Action To Inform Others About Dangers At 
Local Clubs And Bars

Three Langara College student nurses are determined to raise 
awareness about date rape drugs and sexual assaults after their 
friend was victimized.

Student Nurses for Clean Drinks formed in 2004 when a friend of three 
nursing students, Marissa, Jennifer, and Thalia, was drugged and 
assaulted. After the assault, the three women realized something 
needed to be done.

The group now raises awareness and promotes safety for those who 
visit bars and clubs. They are planning to raise money for flyers 
from a bake sale in A building on Feb. 17, 2006.

SNCD works with the Vancouver Police Department, and does not 
publicize their last names for security reasons.

One message that Marissa said is often overlooked is that everyone, 
not just women, are susceptible to date rape and assaults.

"Some people always think that it's only men who are the 
perpetrators, but we're aware that its men and women. It's typical 
for us to think of 'the bad guy,' but the more aware we are that it 
can be everyone and happen to everyone, the safer we are."

Second-year Langara arts and science student Jennifer Tremblay said 
she isn't aware of the risk of date rape. "Honestly, it never crosses 
my mind, but I'm naturally cautious so I don't leave my drinks unattended."

Tamara Gorin, a Langara student and former Vancouver Rape Relief 
collective member, said that what SNCD is doing is commendable, but 
more attention should be focused on why men are drugging women's 
drinks. She added that another way to prevent drug related assaults 
is to have police officers at club entrances to confiscate any drugs from men.

Last year, SNCD was out talking to people in lineups at bars, and 
also speaking to high school students to make them aware of the 
problem. "We want to look at what we call 'perceived risk,' we're 
trying to understand how adolescents perceive themselves at risk for 
this crime. If we can understand where they're coming from then we 
can make better interventions to educate," said Marissa. Their 
website is studentnurses.4t.com.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom