In collaboration with law enforcement professionals, KnoMore presents our "What Now?" Campaign. Download KnoMore's Full "What Now?" Campaign here or read below to learn more about the following scenarios in our campaign: being harassed, suspecting having been drugged, and following sexual assault/rape. 

 

Know more with KnoMore’s “What Now?” Campaign

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In our quest to educate and advocate against drug facilitated sexual assault and crime, KnoMore’s team collaborated with national law enforcement professionals to create our “What Now?” Campaign to cover next steps to the following scenarios: being harassed, suspect having been drugged, physical empowerment tool indicating drug presence, and sexual violence. 

Thank you for joining us in inclusively combating drink spiking using educational and physical resources. 

- Team KnoMore 

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“What if I am being harassed?”

1. Confront the harasser if you feel safe to do so 

a. You deserve to be comfortable 

b. inform him or her that you feel the behavior is inappropriate 

2. Be knowledgeable about institutional policies regarding sexual harassment, both workplace and social institution 

a. Report the harassment to your supervisor immediately, or to a higher authority if your supervisor is the harasser. Consult with your human resources office and government agency if necessary. Never be afraid to report a comment, action, or gesture by somebody that made you feel uncomfortable. 

b. Harassment that includes physical or sexual harm, or damage to property may be against the law, so consider reporting the harassment to the police, your school administration, your employer’s human resources department and/or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission [EEOC]. For reports of harassment in the workplace, you have 180 days to report to the EEOC, however this timeframe may be extended by state law. Federal employees have 45 days to contact the EEOC. 

3. Plan Ahead by trying to minimize contact with the person harassing you, but be prepared for interaction. Think of what you will say and do ahead of time. Always remember you have the right to be safe and the harassment is not your fault. 

4. Obtain a Protective Order and consider filing for a protective order if the harassing behavior is disrupting your life or is dangerous. Protective orders are issued differently by each state, so be sure to contact your local courts to determine what you’ll need to file the order and what type of order you can file for based on the evidence and your particular situation. 

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“What if I suspect that I was drugged?”

1. Stop drinking and try to preserve your drink. 

a. Preserved drinks can be further tested for drug presence and strengthen a case against the perpetrator, especially if surveillance footage is available of the incident 

b. Provide drink to police 

2. Stay in heavily populated areas and alert someone you trust within the social setting. that you believe you have been drugged (ie. bartender/friend) 

a. Monitor your consciousness and breathing 

i. If you feel light headed or short of breath, call emergency services 

ii. There is a risk of overdose if someone is drugged against their will 

3. Tell the first responders/hospital staff that you suspect having been drugged. a. Request urine/blood toxicology test to validate drug presence 

b. Date rape drugs can metabolize out of your body within 12-72 hours so it is important to request immediate testing 

4. If you need emotional support, there are numerous resources (link to resources) that will help. If you are not sure of what to do or want someone to speak to, you can reach out to any of these sources. 

5. Decide if you want to report the assault and/or press charges. 

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“What if I was assaulted or raped?”

1. Get to a safe place. 

a. If not possible, call police ASAP 

2. Do not change anything on your body. 

a. showering, brushing your teeth, changing your clothes, etc. can remove evidence necessary to hold the assailant accountable for their crime should you seek charges 

3. Get medical treatment to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. 

a. SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examination) Kit is a possibility -- The SANE Kit gathers DNA evidence – such as bodily fluids, hair, and skin cells – and 

document injuries sustained during an attack. DNA evidence must be collected within five days of an assault. After a SANE Kit is taken a survivor has 6 months to let the police know if they want their kit processed and used in creating a case. 

4. If you need emotional support, there are numerous resources (link to resources) that will help. If you are not sure of what to do or want someone to speak to, you can reach out to any of these sources. 

5. Decide if you want to report the assault and/or press charges. 

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“What if a Knope Test indicates drug presence in my drink?”

Your Knope shows a positive reaction (1 red or 2 lines (one red one gray) in window). 

1. Stay calm. 

a. Double check whether the reaction matches that of a positive reaction 

2. Stop drinking from your drink immediately. 

a. Do not drink anything someone is offering you, not even water. 

3. Preserve your Knope as proof of evidence and take it with you. 

4. Inform someone not in your proximity that the Knope reacted positively, indicating drug presence. 

a. Include information such as who you are with, and where you are 

a. Because anyone could have drugged you (even one of the people/friends your are with) it is important to tell someone external you trust who had no chance of having nefarious intentions 

5. If possible get the external person to pick you up. If this is not possible, seek for external help. 

a. Call police or security to take you to the hospital/call an ambulance 

b. Ask the police or security to stay with you while you are waiting in case you black out. Do not wait alone! 

6. Go to the hospital as soon as possible to get medical help. Tell the doctor that there is the chance that you were drugged. 

a. Request urine/blood toxicology test to validate drug presence 

b. Date rape drugs can metabolize out of your body within 12-72 hours so it is important to request immediate testing 

7. Consider initiating legal action. 

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