The number of reports of crimes involving narcotics – including so-called “date rape drugs” – has increased in 2024. Last year, there were 150 reports in Austria, 27 more than in 2023, confirmed Heinz Holub-Friedreich, spokesperson for the Federal Criminal Police Office, to APA, confirming a report by the newspaper Kurier. However, in the case of convictions, the administration of narcotics is not statistically recorded, according to the Ministry of Justice.
On Monday, Kurier reported on the rising number of cases involving crimes with narcotics, referring to the answer to a parliamentary inquiry by the FPÖ parliamentary group to Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP). The answer only shows the report statistics, not the number of convictions, Holub-Friedreich clarified to APA. He also emphasized that the recorded method of commission includes not only date rape drugs but also other narcotics such as medications or drugs, though alcohol is not included.
Various crimes involving narcotics
The administration of date rape drugs and other narcotics can constitute elements of various offenses. In the case of the 150 reports from last year, these included robbery, aggravated robbery, rape, and sexual coercion, said Holub-Friedreich. With 92 reports, the majority pertained to Vienna, according to the statistics. Of the 150 reports in Austria, 110 related to suspicion of rape involving narcotics. 109 victims were female, and the vast majority of reports by women (101) were linked to the suspicion of rape. In 2024, there were 40 cases reported under suspicion of robbery and aggravated robbery, most of them reported by men.
Date rape drugs not recorded in convictions
Whether there are actually more cases is unclear. That’s because the “factual element” of administering narcotics is not statistically recorded in convictions, stated Sina Bründler, spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice, to APA. “The Federal Ministry of Justice therefore keeps no statistics on convictions for the administration of narcotics, such as date rape drugs.” As soon as the administration of such substances has an effect on the victim, it can be punished as bodily harm, it was stated.
The increase in reports in this area is also attributed to greater public awareness, said BKA spokesperson Holub-Friedreich. Preventative measures like information campaigns and media coverage have raised awareness among the public. He emphasized that in case of suspicion, one should immediately seek a doctor.
