Rape cases at festivals: girls under suspicion of knockout drops?

Rape cases at festivals: girls under suspicion of knockout drops?

Oberösterreich, Österreich - In Upper Austria there are always shocking incidents. A current case has startled the population: A 16-year-old has filed a complaint for rape after it was presumably abused by a 20-year-old on Sunday night during a festival. As Salzburg24 , the girl was dragged into a car and was possibly under the influence of k.o.-drops. The girl's father also filed a complaint and thus the investigation by the police.

The 20-year-old Kosovare, who vehemently denies the allegations and speaks of mutual intimacy, is now the focus of the investigation. At the same time, the cases of sexualized violence are increasing in Upper Austria. Another incident from the Kirchdorf district also worries the situation: a 17-year-old is also said to have been raped during a solstice celebration. The alleged perpetrator, a 34-year-old, was arrested at the celebration and is in custody. He also denies the crime, even though he is already a criminal record for sexual offenses. Puls24 adds that the two incidents could have been resolved that K.O. drops could have played a role.

a worrying trend

The numbers speak a clear language: How Kurier reports, the number of advertisements in connection with robbery and sexual violence in Austria continuously increased. In 2024, 150 cases of sexual offenses were reported in Upper Austria, an increase compared to 123 in 2023. Much of these cases was associated with suspicion of knockout drops, which are often mixed in drinks and odorless.

The police react to this concern for worrying with various prevention measures. Regular campaigns, such as the youth program "Under 18" and sensitizations by poster campaigns such as #NotyoFault, should warn of the dangers. Experts advise you to never let drinks out of sight and to seek help immediately if suspected. Many of those affected report loss of control and amnesia, which often puts stones in the way of the investigation, since knockout drops are not always detectable.