A woman’s recent night at a nightclub in Sudbury, Ont., Ended up seeking help at a hospital after an allergic reaction to what she thought was a drug for rape.
Cassandra Trudell, 26, said she shared her story to warn other young women of what could happen if they are not careful. Trudell even suspects that her drink was fortified as part of an attempt to traffic her.
“I just want to prevent this from happening to another young woman,” Trudell said. “Never give up your drink. It’s a science lesson.”
Trudell reported his experience to Greater Sudbury police.
Police have confirmed that their case has been reported and they are investigating, but cannot say more about the case.
Trudell’s experience began on Saturday when she was out with friends at a nightclub in downtown Boulevard, and two women approached them and complimented her.
“And that, I think, was one of the distractions to get a drink,” Trudell said.
“My boyfriend and I both turned our backs on my drink, and then I believe the other girl who was with her had put something in my drink.”
Trudell said she took two small sips and minutes later developed a severe allergic reaction.
“I started sneezing and I couldn’t stop, and then my nose was running like crazy, and then my eyes started to water.”
Trudell said he was feeling unwell, so he went to the bathroom with his girlfriend.
She said her friend noticed that one of the women who complimented them followed them to the bathroom.
I guess it was to watch and see how I reacted.
Over time, Trudell said, she felt her throat begin to swell and her right arm numb, so she went to the hospital. According to Trudell, doctors said they could only test for recreational drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine.
“But based on the reaction I had, the doctor told me that he really believed that there was some kind of rape medicine in my drink.
It is easy to insert certain drugs into drinks, police say
According to DrugRehab.ca, the three most common drugs for rape are Royhypnol, GHB and ketamine.
Sudbury Northern Health Hospital said it did not maintain statistics on drugs for rape.
The Ottawa Police Department emphasizes on its website that it is often difficult at first to know whether one of these drugs was put in a drink because they are in liquid form or in a powder that dissolves quickly. But in the end, they act as a “sedative.”
“Examining a drink or even tasting it may not help you determine if a medicine is available. “The only indication that the drink has been ‘dosed’ may be a slightly salty or bitter taste,” the OPS said in a statement.
Trudell said that the day after she reported the incident to the police, she posted about her experience on Facebook. As of Thursday afternoon, the post has been shared more than 8,000 times. Trudell also said in the publication that she believes that the people who drugged her intended to traffic her.
Trudell said she is still shaken by the experience, but has a solid network of friends and family who support her.
Social media cited in trafficking attempts
“In Greater Sudbury and much of Ontario, trafficking in domestic sexual services is widespread,” Greater Sudbury police said in an email to CBC News.
“Our staff work around the clock to help victims escape these violent crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.”
Police said traffickers often recruit victims through social media apps.
“In many cases, the trafficker will complement the victim (ie, ‘You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen’); he buys them expensive gifts, takes them to parties, gives them very loving attention and initiates something like a romantic relationship with the victim, “the email said.
Linzi Laland, program coordinator and partner in support of partners at Angels of Hope Against Human Trafficking, a Southbury-based organization that supports survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, said she had a similar experience in 2012.
Linsie Laland is with Angels of Hope Against Human Trafficking, a Sudbury-based organization that supports survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. She says she was sexually assaulted in 2012 after someone drank her drink at a nightclub. (Submitted by Linzi Laland)
While living in Whitby, Ont., At the time, she said she went to a nightclub in Toronto and felt paralyzed after drinking a drink she thought was fortified.
“I couldn’t lift my legs. I couldn’t lift my arms,” she said.
“And so for a lot of people, it’s very different. Maybe others may feel extremely tired and faint, or they may feel extremely disoriented.”
Laland said she was sexually assaulted that night and woke up to a garbage can near GO station.
The Boulevard nightclub, where Trudell and her friends went on Saturday, is in the heart of Sudbury. In a Facebook post, the nightclub said it wanted to make its space safe for visitors. (Jonathan Minho / CBC)
Laland said human traffickers work in pairs to hunt unsuspecting young women.
“And things happen so fast,” she said. “It takes a second for someone to get your attention.”
She recommends that anyone who has had such an experience report it to the police.
“If there is a model that is happening in downtown Sudbury, where there have been many cases of this, we could help catch a human trafficking gang that is local here in our city.
A nightclub says its goal is a safe space
In a Facebook post posted on Monday, the Boulevard nightclub where Trudell said she drank her drink said she was working to make the space safe for everyone.
“If you ever feel insecure, please talk to our staff. We are here to help,” the statement said.
He also recommends services in the city, including the Greater Sudbury Police Department, Crime Stoppers and the Human Trafficking Hotline.
Morning North8: 25 The Sudbury woman warns others to watch their drink. She suspects that hers has been reinforced recently.
A woman from Sudbury, who believes her drink was boosted while she was at the bar last weekend, shares her story. She talks about what happened to CBC’s Angela Cemil.
Add Comment