[A prospective study of drug-facilitated sexual assault in Barcelona]

Abstract

Background and objective: To determine the frequency and characteristics of suspected drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) among the victims of sexual assault in Barcelona.

Material and methods: Prospective study of every adult consulting an emergency service because of alleged sexual assault and receiving forensic assessment in the city of Barcelona in 2011.

Results: A total of 35 of 114 cases (30.7%) met suspected DFSA criteria. Compared with the other victims, suspected DFSA cases were more likely to experience amnesia, to have been assaulted by night, after a social situation and by a recently acquainted man, to have used alcohol before the assault and to be foreigners. In this group ethanol was detected in blood or urine in 48.4% of analyzed cases; their mean back calculated blood alcohol concentration was 2.29g/l (SD 0.685). Also, at least one central nervous system drug other than ethanol was detected in 60,6%, mainly stimulant drugs of abuse.

Conclusions: Suspected DFSA is frequent among victims of alleged sexual assault in Barcelona nowadays. The depressor substance most commonly encountered is alcohol, which contributes to victims' vulnerability.

Keywords: Agresión sexual; Alcohol; Drogas de abuso; Drug-facilitated sexual assault; Drugs of abuse; Epidemiology; Epidemiología; Etanol; Forensic medicine; Forensic toxicology; Medicina forense; Sexual assault; Sumisión química; Toxicología forense.