Security Alert

SUSPECT:

Known Hispanic male

WEAPONS:  

None

SUSPECT VEHICLE::  

None

SYNOPSIS:    On Monday, December 10, 2007, the University of Houston Department of Public Safety received a report of a sexual assault over the weekend of November 30, 2007 in one of the residential life complexes.  The circumstances of the assault suggest the involvement of a date rape drug.

In this case the victim reported symptoms consistent with the use of date rape drugs: a rapid onset of intoxication out of proportion to what they may have had to drink; and reported memory loss.

Although no confirmed cases have previously been reported on-campus, the phenomenon of drugs being used to facilitate sexual assault has been widely reported across the country.  The UHDPS urges the University of Houston Community to be alert to the possibility and take precautions to protect themselves.  Date rape drugs, commonly Rohypnol, GHB, and Ketamine, can be placed in an unsuspecting person’s drink.  Rapid and sever intoxication follows, along with dramatically reduced inhibitions and memory loss.  In this condition, anyone can be extremely vulnerable to sexual assault.

To protect yourself, do not leave drinks unattended and be wary of accepting drinks from people you do not know well.  Make sure that you open and pour your own drinks, and don’t share drinks with others.  It is also wise to use the buddy system while socializing –go out with friends, agree to keep an eye on one another and to go home together.  If a friend starts to exhibit symptoms of date rape drug ingestion, seek medical help immediately.  Signs to look for include: dizziness and/or nausea, memory loss, breathing or motion difficulties, and acting disproportionately intoxicated relative to the amount of alcohol consumed.

Please call the University of Houston Department of Public Safety at (713) 743–3333 or 911 (emergency) if you have any information concerning any incident in which you suspect you or a friend may have been the victim of a date rape drug. For information on crime prevention strategies, please visit our prevention tips page.

 All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to be alert and to be cautious of their surroundings on and away from campus.

As with any emergency situation, if you see suspicious activity, call 9-1-1.