§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has to appoint a working group on drug rape; and if he will make a statement. [171025]
§ Caroline FlintThe Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) keeps under review all drugs and their associated harms and risks. Currently, the ACMD has no plans to establish a specific Working Group on drug rape. However, if the issue requires the ACMD's consideration it can be raised as an agenda item at either the full Council meeting of the ACMD or at the meeting of the ACMD's Technical Committee. Previously, the ACMD have acted on this issue as highlighted through its recommendation that Gammahydroxybutrate (GHB), which is viewed as a 'date rape' drug be made a controlled drug under Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Although the ACMD is not specifically dealing with this issue at the moment there is an Interdepartmental Ministerial Group on Sexual Offending. The purpose of the Group (broadly) is to promote and co-ordinate cross-government action on tackling sexual offending, and provide appropriate support for the victims of sexual crime. Furthermore, under s.61 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 it is an offence to administer a substance with the aim of stupefying/overpowering a person to engage in sexual activity. This is punishable by a prison sentence of up to 10 years.