Jennifer Dunn: “As my colleagues know, the incidence of violence and crime against women continues to escalate daily. Criminals and…”

“As my colleagues know, the incidence of violence and crime against women continues to escalate daily. Criminals and would-be criminals keep finding new ways to victimize women. This bill represents one of the many steps that need to be taken in order to help stop the violation of innocent women. I urge my colleagues to take this vital stride forward. First and foremost this legislation would impose tough minimum sentences on first-time offenders who distribute what are referred to as ``date-rape drugs'' with the intent to rape. These drugs render women helpless. When criminals administer drugs like Rohypnol, their victims are not aware it has been added to their drink because the drug is tasteless and odorless. Rohypnol is intended for use in treating people with severe sleep disorders and is 10 times more powerful than Valium. Unfortunately, it can induce amnesia as a side effect, which in date-rape cases obviously impairs the victim's ability to relay what transpired and to recall who raped them.”