Tokyo rolls out date rape drug test kit: new tool to fight sexual assault

Since April, Tokyo police have been using a revolutionary test kit to quickly detect the presence of GHB in the body of a sexual assault victim. This substance is also known as the “rapist drug” or “liquid ecstasy.” This initiative is the first of its kind in Japan, and it is distributed to all police stations in the capital.

The test kit can determine in just a few minutes whether a victim has ingested GHB , providing investigators with a quick solution to speed up investigations and help put victims' minds at ease. This measure is particularly important because GHB is an odorless, colorless and tasteless drug that can easily be hidden in an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink, making it very difficult to detect its presence.

GHB is a drug that causes disinhibition and mild euphoria. In high doses, it can act as a powerful sleeping pill, making the victim vulnerable to sexual assault. Additionally, the drug disappears quickly from the body after a few hours, making detection difficult.

According to police, urine tests exist to detect the presence of this drug or sleeping pill, but the results can sometimes take up to a month to come out. Using the test kit, investigators can obtain results in just minutes, enabling rapid intervention to help victims and prosecute perpetrators.

The new measure is an important step in the fight against sexual assault in Japan, where the rate of sex crimes has increased in recent years. According to government data, the number of complaints of sexual violence increased by 2.4% in 2020 compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 9,696 cases.

In addition, Tokyo police said that the use of this test kit could also help deter attackers, knowing that their crime could be quickly discovered thanks to this new screening tool.

Ultimately, the introduction of this test kit is a significant step forward in the fight against sexual assault in Japan. The ability to quickly detect the presence of GHB in the bodies of victims of sexual assault can help speed up investigations and provide peace of mind to victims, which is crucial in these traumatic situations. Additionally, it can also help deter attackers and reduce the number of sexual assaults in the country.