Perpetrators take advantage of an exuberant party atmosphere to mix colorless and odorless knockout drops into open drinks without being noticed. The drops begin to take effect just ten to twenty minutes after being taken unknowingly: Initial euphoria is followed by nausea, dizziness and sudden drowsiness. Abusers take advantage of this situation. Sexual assaults and thefts occur. The victim is helpless and defenceless, wakes up later and can't remember anything.
How to protect yourself from knockout drops:
- Be careful when preparing drinks.
- Don't accept drinks from strangers.
- Don't let drinks out of your sight or ask friends to look after them for a moment.
- Hand on the drink - even in conversation or on the dance floor.
- Take care of each other.
- Whether with friends or with other people - get help in an emergency.
If you have been a victim
- Get to a doctor/emergency room immediately.
Knockout drops can only be detected in blood and urine for a few hours. - File a complaint with the police.
Stunning with knockout drops constitutes dangerous bodily harm in accordance with Section 224 of the German Criminal Code (StGB) and can be punished with a prison sentence of up to ten years. This presupposes that criminal charges are filed with the police and that blood and urine are tested for knockout drops as quickly as possible. The police should also be alerted via the emergency number 110 if there is mere suspicion of the misuse of knockout drops. The police will be happy to advise you.
In a campaign, Der WEISSE RING is drawing attention to the dangers of knockout drops. The association is supported by actor and series star Tom Wlaschiha, who can be seen in a video clip on the subject.
Further information on the topic can be found at https://www.polizei-beratung.de/themen-und-tipps/sexualdelikte/sexuelle-noetigung-vergewaltigung.