It has been five years since the death of 18-year-old Natalee Holloway, who was killed by persons unknown while vacationing in Aruba. She left a nightclub with several young men and was never seen again. Contrary to popular belief, Natalee was not engaging in underage drinking according to Aruban law, although leaving with teenage boys was hardly a smart idea. Then again, how many of us made mistakes like this when we were 18? My hand is raised. Actually, both of them are.
Ultimately, the prime suspect was a young Dutchman named Joran Van Der Sloot who changed his story about that night many times. He claimed he didn’t see her at the end of the night, he then claimed he had sex with her and she had a seizure as he left her and then told an undercover Dutch investigator that he had, in fact, something to do with her death but didn’t "lose a minute’s sleep over it." His powerful family protected him and he remained free for the past five years, traveling the world and reportedly trafficking young, third world women into the sex trade.
Five years to the day of Natalee’s disappearance, Van Der Sloot left his hotel room in Peru, leaving behind the brutalized body of another young woman, Stephany Flores Ramirez. Van Der Sloot was captured in Chile and extradited to Peru where he remains in jail.
During the search of Van Der Sloot’s belongings, "date rape" drugs were found. Some people are not fans of using the expression "date rape" because they feel it somehow softens the crime. Rape is rape no matter the circumstances. Why do we have to pretty it up by reminding everyone that the couple were on a date, they wonder? Does it make it more acceptable? Since most rapes are committed by known persons to the victim, the fact that they may have been on a date is moot.
Speculation is that Van Der Sloot may be a serial rapist (or killer) who uses rape drugs to silence his victims in order to rape them. This may mean that there was a sliver of truth in his assertion that Natalee had a seizure. It may have been brought on by the drug. While the results are not out regarding Stephany’s blood tests, it’s thought that she may also have been secretly drugged and like Natalee, something went terribly wrong. The problem is that these drugs leave the system very quickly. Of course, it’s also distinctly possible that Van Der Sloot is indeed a serial killer with other unknown victims in his wake. Young, poor victims who are lost in the poverty and chaos of a third world community may not be reported missing.
So what of these rape drugs? Known under various official names like Rohypnol (street names Roofies, Mind Erasers, LA Rochas), GHB (G, G-juice, Liquid E) and Ketermine (Special K, K, Black Hole), they serve as a quick-acting sedative that leaves a person with no memory of what has happened.
These drugs are often placed in drinks or food, they can be powered or liquid and their taste and color is often masked in very sweet or strong drinks/food. Symptoms include a feeling of being drunk, high, dizzy, nauseous and amnesic. Signs that you may have been a victim of being raped via use of these drugs are waking up with no memory of the night before despite not drinking or not drinking much, torn clothing or looking like you have been undressed and then re-dressed, evidence of sex, waking up in a strange place, not remembering leaving a bar or club, and no memories of going home.
If this happens, getting to the hospital straight away is crucial. Blood tests can be taken so that evidence of rape drugs can be gathered before they leave the body. You will also need to be tested for STDs and take precaution to avoid pregnancy. An evidence kit will need to be assembled because victims make poor witnesses due to the nature of the crime.
There are ways to help avoid being a victim.
• Never accept a drink from a stranger and only accept drinks served by professional bar staff that are brought directly to you.
• Never leave your drink unattended, even while dancing or talking to others.
• Don’t invite strangers to join you for drinks.
• Don’t share or taste the drinks of others.
• If any drink tastes strange, throw it away.
• If you begin to feel drunk or ill after one of two drinks, get to a hospital to be evaluated. Taking your drink with you if possible, is a good idea.
• Remain with your friends and have one friend as a designated sober person.
Using these tips can help to avoid the terrible consequences of what these rape drugs can do. Not only can they lead to rape, they can also lead to seizures and death – sometimes at the hands of the drug, sometimes at the hands of the rapist.
Summertime is filled with parties, dancing and traveling to new places. Let’s keep it safe for all of us.
As for Natalie and Stephany - our deepest condolences to both families and here's hoping that justice can finally be served for these two innocent young women whose bright futures were destroyed by violence.
No murder changes have yet been filed against Joran Van Der Sloot. He has not been convicted of any crime in these cases, to this date.
For more information on rape drugs, click here: http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/date-rape-drugs.cfm
If you suspect you have been a victim of rape, call 911 immediately.
Compassionate support for rape survivors can be found here at the The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network: www.RAINN.com