Classification plan will create basis for ‘significantly stricter’ prosecutions, says interior minister

Germany plans to treat the use of date rape drugs like the use of weapons in prosecutions as part of measures to ensure justice for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

“We classify date rape drugs, which are increasingly used as a widespread tool in crimes, as weapons. This creates the basis for significantly stricter prosecutions,” Alexander Dobrindt, the interior minister, said on Friday. “We are committed to clear consequences and consistent enforcement. Women should feel safe and be able to move freely everywhere.”

Nearly 54,000 women and girls were the victims of sexual offences in Germany in 2024 – an increase of 2.1% on the previous year – of which nearly 36% were victims of rape and sexual assault.

  • krooklochurm@lemmy.caEnglish
    14·
    2 months ago

    I kind of had an issue with this at first read, because if anyone is taking some ghb (and not using it to rape people) having weapons charges is ridiculous.

    But I’ve got no issue with increased penalties for anyone using this stuff to rape someone. There should be no fucking quarter to anyone caught doing this.

    Increased penalties if you’re caught taking them yourself recreationally are ridiculous though.

    • mcv@lemmy.zipEnglish
      6·
      2 months ago

      No. Drugging them is enough of a threat even if the culprit doesn’t manage to rape his victim. Treating at attempt to drug someone with a date rape drug as assault sounds like it might be a very good idea. Though I admit I haven’t thought about all the angles yet.

      • HugeNerd@lemmy.caEnglish
        1·
        2 months ago

        I see, but isn’t alcohol also able to do this? Did I just drink a weapon with my pizza?

        • mcv@lemmy.zipEnglish
          1·
          2 months ago

          Alcohol isn’t quite as dramatic or hard to detect, but you shouldn’t be sneaking alcohol into people’s non-alcoholic drinks either. Or otherwise intentionally get them drunk. That’s only for them to decide.

  • vrek@programming.devBannedEnglish
    5·
    2 months ago

    While date rap and sexual violence is horrible… Do these drugs have any real value?

    Like yes they can be used for date rape but are also given anti-anxiety or ant-nausea or anything like that?

    • knightly the Sneptaur@pawb.socialEnglish
      12·
      2 months ago

      One of my fiancés is narcoleptic and needs meds like GHB to sleep 'cuz the anti-narcoleptics she needs to stay awake during the day won’t let her sleep otherwise.

    • BanMe@lemmy.worldEnglish
      6·
      2 months ago

      They’re only being classified as weapons in prosecution, not being banned.

    • Tollana1234567@lemmy.todayEnglish
      4·
      2 months ago

      scopalamine is one that used for date raped, although not common, it appears to make you unconscious for a day if high enough. the show Criminal minds had an episode where the perpatrator used to rape/ or rob people.

          • vrek@programming.devBannedEnglish
            3·
            2 months ago

            Hold on, it’s used for sea sickness?

            If that’s the case it should be allowed, maybe controlled but should be allowed. Never said something with a legimite use should be banned. Just asked what the legitimate uses were. Actually I never mentioned banning anything.

    • Anivia@feddit.orgEnglish
      2·
      2 months ago

      GHB is freely available because it’s used as an industrial solvent and cleaning agent, that’s why it’s legal in most countries.

      Many people also use it as a recreational drug, it’s effects are similar to alcohol at low dosages

    • RamRabbit@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      2 months ago

      I’m not an expert on this, but I know it’s common to use things like tranquilizers intended for farm animals.

  • LuigiMaoFrance@lemmy.mlEnglish
    5·
    2 months ago

    Ridiculous overreach of justice yet again. Psychotropic substances usually associated with date rape like GHB/Liquid Ecstasy are used recreationally by the overwhelming majority of people. The fact that they can be used to for sexual assault is tragic, but nobody should be charged with a crime they did not commit.
    Slippery slope, but what else can you expect from these clowns.

    • AnarchistArtificer@slrpnk.netEnglish
      37·
      2 months ago

      If I punched you, that would be assault.

      If I hit you with a hammer, that would be assault with a weapon.

      If I stood beside you with a hammer and did not harm you at all, then I have not committed any crime.

      No-one is going to be charged with crimes they didn’t commit because of this. Classifying them as a weapon is only relevant for cases in which they were actively used to commit sexual assault, much the same way that a hammer only counts as a weapon if I assault you with it.

      Though I understand why you came away with the impression you did — I am often exasperated at weird drug laws that are overly prohibitive and often unscientific in how they criminalise relatively low risk drugs, which meant that I also initially had the same reading of this news as you did. Fortunately, it seems that this is not an example of one of those silly drug laws, but an actually sensible measure.

    • MBech@feddit.dkEnglish
      6·
      2 months ago

      By an overwhelming majority? Really? Seems just a tad exaggerated…

    • Vespair@lemmy.zipEnglish
      3·
      2 months ago

      In the way that sometimes a hammer can be a tool and sometimes a hammer can be a weapon, so can drugs. Two things can be true.

  • Synapse@lemmy.worldEnglish
    5·
    2 months ago

    I have some problem with this proposal:

    1. These drugs are around also, you know, for sick people who need them. It is the case of my mom who has multi sclerosis and the only pain killer effective on her is known as a rape drug.
    2. Chemical submission can be achieved with a wide range of things, most commonly use it probably alcohol, regular drinks such as wine and beer. Attempting chemical submission with those shouldn’t fly under the radar of justice!
    3. I think it would be much more effective to amend the law in order for all cases of chemicals submission (with or without rape) and rapes to be brought to justice
    4. A big issue that is ignored with this proposal is, victims often don’t report the aggression or don’t complete the full procedure. Police and Justice system personnel must be better trained about these cases of rape and rape with chemical submission in order for the victims to be able to report their aggression without feeling judgement or shame through out the entire process, from the police report until the conclusion of the court.