One will quench your thirst.
The other could set you up for rape.

Which would you drink?

Rape is a sad reality. And it can happen to anyone. Even you.

When slipped into a beverage, even a soft drink, sedating substances can leave anyone vulnerable to sexual assault. You may not be able to see it, smell it, or taste it. And you don't have to be at a bar or club. It could happen in any social setting. The tragic fact is that the reasons for rape really have nothing to do with you. It happens only because there are people who wish to harm others.

But there are some things that may help reduce your risk:

• Always keep your beverage in sight.
• At a party or social gathering, accept drinks only from the server.
• At social gatherings, don't accept open-container drinks from anyone.
• If you experience dizziness, extreme drowsiness, or other sudden and unexplained symptoms, call someone you trust. Go to a hospital emergency room immediately. Try to retain a sample of the beverage for testing.

If you think you've been sexually assaulted, call the Williams College Rape and Sexual Assault Network at x4100, the Elizabeth Freeman Center at 663-9709, (800) 656-HOPE for a rape crisis center near you, or call the police immediately. Don't be afraid to reach out for help. There are tests to help prove you've been drugged, and a federal law that can put the rapist in prison for 20 years.

So please help reduce your risk...

Watch your drink!

This message, originally from Hoffman-LaRoche Laboratories and the DC Rape Crisis Center, has been edited by the Health Center. Brought to you by the Health Center, the Williams College Rape and Sexual Assault Network, and Project Advance.

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