After months of allegations from more than 30 women claiming that Bill Cosby drugged and /or raped them, there seems to be some light to this story. It came out yesterday that in 2005, the 77-year-old comedian testified under oath, admitting that he obtained Quaaludes (Mandrax) with the intent of giving them to young women with whom he wanted to have sex. He also admitted to giving one of the sedatives to at least one woman.
In case you missed the story, our former favourite uncle, Bill Cosby, was accused by a couple of women, that he drugged raped them back in the 70s and 80s. With that in mind, we have spoken to Robyn Farrell, Executive Head of 1st for Women Insurance about how to protect yourself (especially in public places) from the dangers of being drugged raped.
Robyn Farrell, Executive Head of 1st for Women Insurance, offers some safety guidelines to prevent being drugged in a bar:
- Never leave your drink unattended in a restaurant or in a bar.
- If you are offered a drink by somebody you have only just met or barely know, stay at the bar as the drink is ordered and served.
- Hold your drink in your hand and do not place it down on a table or counter until it is finished.
- Hold your drink on the top. If you get a glass drink, hold it in such a way that your hand covers the top of the glass. Holding it with your palm over the top instead of against the side of the drink will make it harder for anyone to slip anything in without you noticing.
- Opt for unopened bottled drinks or cans over glass drinks.
- Avoid drinking to the point where you cannot be vigilant or aware of your surroundings and keep all your wits about you.
- Trust your instincts if something or someone does not feel right.
- If you feel faint, dizzy, nauseous, weak or exceptionally drunk after not drinking very much while out at a bar or restaurant, leave immediately or call a friend or an ambulance.
- Look for obvious signs of tampering. Things such as your drink being moved from where you left it, the straw having been taken out or one put in, less or more liquid than you remember, odd bubbling or fizzing, a different colour or odour, etc.
- Consider going out in groups or with friends if you are going out to bar or even double dating when you do not know someone particularly well. Then, look out for each other.
Side note: There’s also a video that’s been released showing how easy it is for someone to drug your drink in a bar. In the video, online presenter Joey Salads goes out to a bar with hidden cameras to record how a drug is slipped in a glass. This pill, now known as the “date rape” drug or “roofies”, is called Rohypnol.
