In today's City TV News....... According to the Ontario Womens Directorate, 57 percent of rapes happen while on dates and one in four women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Here are some myths and facts about dating violence courtesy of Health Canada: Myth: Women are at a great risk of being assaulted by strangers. Fact: Canadian, British and U.S. studies indicate that women are at far greater risk of being assaulted by men they know. Dating partners are more dangerous than strangers. Myth: Men cannot control their sexual urges, and if a woman gets her date sexually aroused, she deserves what she gets. Fact: Men are capable of controlling themselves. That's why forcing sex on a partner is illegal Even if a woman has consented to petting or necking, she still has the right to control her own body. When a woman says NO or NO MORE, then the man is required by law to stop. Myth: Men have the right to expect sexual favours if they pay for dates or if they have a long-standing relationship with a woman. Fact: This myth is particularly persistent among teenagers. In fact, it is unreasonable to expect sex in return for initiating and paying for dates. And not every long-term relationship has to lead to "going all the way". Sex must be voluntary, and both partners have to agree on when they are ready. Myth: It'll never happen to me! Fact: Dating violence can happen to you. It is not limited to a particular social class, or any single ethnic or racial group. Some women are victimized on their first date while others are assaulted after dating a long time. Date Rape Drugs While the drug Rohypnol may have garnered the most media attention in regards to date rape, health experts believe there are a number of other easily accessible drugs used in sexual assaults. How To Protect Yourself * Date rape drugs can have a bitter taste when dissolved in alcohol. Should you taste something strange in your drink, stop drinking and be always be alert. * When placed in a light-colored drink, the newer roofies may turn it blue. If you notice a change in the colour of your drink, dump it and become especially alert since someone is likely targeting you. * If you suddenly feel unusually drunk after just a small amount of alcohol, quickly ask someone for help, ideally someone who works for the establishment. Its important to take action quickly because many drugs can incapacitate you in just minutes. * Don't drink anything you didnt open yourself or see being opened or poured. * Don't accept a drink from someone you don't know unless you see it being opened or poured by a bartender. * Always watch your drink or have someone you trust watch it for you. If you leave your drink unattended, dump it. Better safe than sorry. * Come and leave with a friend, so you wont be easily led away from the event by someone with bad intentions. * Take care of friends. If theyre too drunk and out of it, they may have been slipped a drug. Do not leave them alone. What Are The Symptoms? * quick intoxication * impaired judgment and coordination * drowsiness, dizziness, disorientation * hot and cold flashes * memory loss Heres a list of some other drugs that are used as date rape drugs (courtesy of the Ontario Womens Directorate): Sedating Drugs * Alcohol * GHB (also known as Easy Lay, Liquid Ecstasy, Gib, natural sleep-500, or somatomax) * Ketamine (also known as Special K, Kit Kat, vetalar, or ketaset ) Stimulants * Cocaine Socializers * amphetamines (Ecstasy also known as E, or MDMA) * marijuana Where To Get Help If you know or suspect that youre the victim of date rape, report it to the police and heres a list of some other places you can turn for help: Assaulted Women's Helpline 1-866-863-0511 Toronto Rape Crisis Centre (416) 597-8088 Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 Distress Centres of Toronto (416) 408-4357 Police are hunting for a suspect after a violent sexual assault this weekend. The terrifying ordeal began in a bar in Ajax early Saturday morning, where the suspect allegedly met the victim and slipped a stupefying drug into her drink. Authorities said he then took her to his home in the Spadina and Lake Shore Boulevard area, where he attacked her. "It's a repugnant crime, one of forethought and malice which has a lifelong lasting effect on the victim," said Det. Gordon Scott of the Toronto Police. The woman managed to get out of the apartment to call for help and she was treated in hospital for her severe injuries. Authorities are also concerned that "name withheld" may have a prior history of similar attacks. "It's certainly been my experience that most people who commit sexual assaults don't start up at the high end such as this one," said Scott. "It would certainly be my belief that this is probably not his first time." The 32-year-old victim's injuries were described by medical staff as "horrific" and police believe "name withheld" as a previous acquaintance of the woman. Police have identified the suspect as "name withheld" and hes described as: