There are many problems in responding to sexual assault that are unique to rural communities and impact upon rural women, such as isolation, conservatism and denial of sexual assault. Alexandra Neame and Melanie Heenan review the literature and current issues relating to sexual assault and service provision in rural communities, and draw on the experiences...

Alexandra Neame looks at current media representations of drink spiking including victim-blaming stereotypes and whether drink spiking is an epidemic or an urban myth. Drink spiking is considered within the broader context of drug and alcohol facilitated sexual assault, and awareness and prevention approaches that treat drugs and alcohol as weapons are discussed.