Alcohol is the number one 'date rape' drug in Ireland, according to experts.
While there are cases of sexual predators using drugs such as Rohypnol to incapacitate vulnerable women, secretly giving 'double shots' of alcohol is far more common.
Cliona Sadlier, of Rape Crisis Network Ireland, has warned that a popular tactic employed in cases of serious sexual assault is to surreptitiously strengthen the drink of someone who is already voluntarily consuming alcohol.
"Drink-spiking includes giving a person a double or a triple shot, when they think they've got a single," she said.
"The culture of permissiveness around alcohol - as well as a belief by some victims that they may subsequently not get a sympathetic hearing - cannot be ignored."
Souce: Mark O'Regan, Irish Independent, 24/04/15