Shortly before the street carnival reaches its peak, the CDU’s youth wing in North Rhine‑Westphalia is demanding a more decisive response to KO‑drops. “Using KO‑drops is a particularly cunning form of targeted violence that leaves victims helpless and often goes unnoticed until late-or even stays completely hidden” said Kevin Gniosdorz, national chairman of the Junge Union, to the “Rheinische Post” (Saturday edition).
Gniosdorz noted that many people immediately suspect the old town, clubs or party tents when it comes to KO‑drops. “But scientific studies on sexualised violence under the influence of alcohol or drugs show that a significant portion of these acts occurs in close social circles-often committed by acquaintances and frequently in private settings”.
The Junge Union North Rhine‑Westphalia therefore calls for a statewide “dark‑field” study that systematically investigates the extent, contexts, and barriers to seeking help and reporting such incidents. They also want to examine how the use of mind‑altering substances as a mode of commission can be better represented in police crime statistics. “It is methodologically demanding, but that should not stop us from making the phenomenon statistically visible” Gniosdorz said. “Without statistical visibility, preventive action remains blind”.
