Chapter 1: What is chemical submission and why is it important?
What is chemical submission? Thanks for asking. You may have seen headlines in recent weeks about a deeply shocking French court case. A man has admitted drugging his wife with powerful sedatives over a period of a decade and inviting as many as 80 local men to rape her during that time.
Due to the effects of the drugs she had been subjected to, the woman, Giselle Pellico, had no idea of what was happening to her. The case has led to increased awareness of chemical submission, which is a type of drug-facilitated crime.
Chapter 2: How do drugs like GHB relate to chemical submission?
It's defined by the Spanish Journal of Legal Medicine as the use of chemical substances to manipulate the will of a person, producing incapacity or unconsciousness that facilitates criminal action. When a crime is committed, a woman is the victim 91% of the time, and most often they fall victim to sexual assault.
Is that like spiking drinks with GHB then?
Actually, the idea that GHB is the only drug used by rapists is a common misconception. While GHB is often associated with these crimes because it causes drowsiness and memory loss, it's far from being the only substance used. Indeed, Vox.com reported that Giselle Pelico's husband used a combination of medications, including the anti-anxiety drug Temesta, which can act like a sedative.
In 2021, a report from France's National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products found that 56% of chemical submission cases involve medications. These can include benzodiazepines like zopiclone or diazepam, opioids such as tramadol, or other sedatives. In the remaining 44% of cases, non-medical substances are used. We're talking drugs like GHB, GBL, MDMA, alcohol and cannabis.
Alcohol is the most commonly involved substance in such situations. And crimes like these don't only happen at parties as we might think. Nearly 43% happen in private settings and often in the victim's own home, as was the case for Giselle Pellicoe.
How should I respond if I witness or suspect chemical submission?
When out socialising, be vigilant. The UK's Drink Aware campaign advises against leaving your drink unattended and warns against accepting drinks from strangers or sources you don't trust. Drink covers and testing kits can also help reduce the risk of being spiked. If you feel unexpectedly drowsy or disoriented, it's vital that you alert venue staff or hosts immediately.
Look out for your friends too. Any sudden signs of intoxication or unusual behaviour could be a sign of drugging. In an emergency, call 999. If you suspect chemical submission has occurred, you can reach out to the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or contact Victim Support at 0808 1689 111. There you have it. Now you know what chemical submission is.
In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you will really know for sure.
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