Number of rapes high in first half of 2003

Deepa Bharath

The number of reported rapes skyrocketed by 340% in the city during

the first half of this year.

Twenty-two rapes were reported between January and June this year,

and only five during the same period last year, according to

statistics released by the California attorney general last month.

“Most of these rapes are not stranger rapes,” Costa Mesa Police

Sgt. Bob Ciszek said. “It’s not some guy jumping up from behind the

bushes. Most of them are acquaintance rapes, and many of them involve

alcohol and possibly date-rape drugs.”

While the increase could be random, the high number could also

reflect a trend that shows more victims are willing to come forward,

Det. Sgt. Jack Archer said.

“There’s a lot more education these days in high school as well as

college campuses,” he said. “Victims talk to friends or counselors

and decide to report the incident.”

But in most of the cases in Costa Mesa this year, the reporting

happened a few weeks too late, Archer said.

“When there is a date-rape drug involved, it disappears from the

victim’s system within hours,” he said. “That’s why it needs to be

reported right away.”

Detectives also miss out on forensic evidence that could establish

the incident as a rape as opposed to consensual sex, he said.

“That’s why a lot of these cases don’t go to court,” Archer said.

Alcohol was also involved in several incidents, he said.

“In many cases, the women who were partying had too much to drink

and left with a male acquaintance,” Archer said.

Women need to take precautions while socializing or going to

parties, he said.

“They must have a designated driver or a reliable friend who can

take care of them when they are inebriated,” he said. “Also, never

leave a drink unattended. Always stay in control.”