Sexual Violence Prevention Strategies Aimed at Potential Victims of Drug Facilitated Sexual Battery: "Watch Your Drink" Messages and Drink Testing Devices

This position paper looks at the rising popularity of two prevention strategies targeted directly at potential victims of drug-facilitated sexual battery that have gained prominence in Florida:

1. Messages aimed at potential victims in "drinking" situations such as bars and parties such as the "Watch Your Drink" cocktail napkin campaign that encourages keeping control of ones drink at all times and
2. Devices such as test kits, coasters and swizzle sticks that can be used to test a beverage for the presence of certain drugs associated with drug-facilitated sexual battery.

The paper discusses these strategies and asserts that sexual violence prevention efforts should focus on root causes of sexual violence and include messages aimed at potential offenders, bystanders and the general public. The paper concludes that, while "Watch Your Drink" campaigns may have some usefulness, whenever possible, funding for prevention should address broader concerns.