Posted on: Thursday, November 21, 2002

Hilo students alerted of rapes at bars, raves

By Christie Wilson
Advertiser Neighbor Island Editor

Female students at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo are being advised to be wary at social gatherings after three women reported they were sexually assaulted at off-campus bars or parties since September.

The college administration sent faculty members an e-mail asking them to warn students to be careful, said Keith Miser, vice chancellor of student affairs.

The assaults reportedly occurred at either bars or "rave" parties, and the three female students said they may have been drugged without their knowledge, although that has not been confirmed. The women revealed the incidents when they sought counseling at the UH-Hilo Women's Center, Miser said, but only one case was reported to police.

Capt. James Day of the Hawai'i County Police Department's Hilo Criminal Investigation Division said a detective investigated the report and determined it did not involve the so-called "date-rape" drugs gamma hydroxybutyrate, or rohypnol.

The woman withdrew her complaint, Day said, and the case was closed.

Miser said that like many other colleges, UH-Hilo has an alcohol awareness task force, and university officials are discussing ways to raise awareness about date-rape drugs. "There's been a lot of conversation on campus about being careful if you're at a party off campus and drinking, and not leaving your beverage and coming back to it," he said.

Students are being told that if they go to parties, they should go in groups and not to let anyone in the group leave with someone else, even an acquaintance. Students also are advised not to accept beverages from anyone, to keep a close watch on their drinks and to get medical help immediately for anyone who seems incoherent or incapacitated.