High School Seniors Warned About Cancun Rapes
EmailAs crowds of graduating high school students head for "senior week" in Cancun, Mexico, a rape victim and human rights workers are sounding a warning about the dark side of the popular resort. "People need to know that these kinds of things happen," Suzanne Lewers of California told ABC News Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross in an interview to be broadcast on 20/20 this Friday. Thousands of high school students jam the Gulf of Mexico resort during spring break and after graduation. Many tour companies offer packages that include unlimited alcohol. Suzanne was raped in Cancun on her "senior week" by someone posing as a Mexican police officer. "It was rape after rape after rape," she said. It took two years before Cancun police or Mexican justice caught up with the rapist, who is accused of raping at least a dozen other tourists after Suzanne. "I think anyone who becomes a victim of a sexual attack in Mexico should not have very high hopes of seeing justice done," Daniel Wilkinson of Human Rights Watch told ABC News. Cancun authorities never made public that a serial rapist was preying on foreign tourists. The current U.S. State Department travel information sheet for Mexico warns there have been "a significant number of rapes in Cancun." Mexican officials did not answer repeated requests from ABC News for comment.
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the reason why there is so many rapes is becosue we havent stressed the idea that u dont have to go somewere big were there is danger.A pool party or a fun gathering with friends does the same things has going to cancun does and its way safer.
Posted by: chris | June 1, 2006, 10:56 am 10:56 am
If the drinking age was lowered back to 18, like it was when I was a young adult, we wouldn’t have stories like this or have missing teenagers like Natale Holloway. These kids take trips to Cancun and Mexico and such so they can drink. It works because all the marketing around these trips include alcohol- usually all you can drink. It’s that simple. We, as parents, can’t stop them from taking such trips because they are 18 and are considered legal adults. Is that not the most idiotic reasoning on the planet. You want kids to stay in the states- let them drink at 18.
Posted by: Paula | June 1, 2006, 11:17 am 11:17 am
Someone close to me was raped in Cancun on her high school “senior trip.” She was 17. The California man who drugged her drink and assaulted her was in his mid-30s at the time. There were U.S. citizen witnesses who interrupted the assault. She asked several victims hotlines recent if there were means for her to prosecute the man, who still lives in California. All have said that she has no legal recourse. Is that true?
Posted by: Anonymous | June 1, 2006, 11:28 am 11:28 am
What parent would send their 18 year old high school graduate off to Cancun for a drunkfest? Eighteen year olds think that they are bulletproof and do not realize how alcohol can dull anybody’s senses and rationalization. Most dumb stuff is done when alcohol is involved. There are other ways to celebrate this accomplishment that are fun and enjoyable but do not leave you with any hangovers or “otherwise” in the morning.
Posted by: R. J. Feith | June 1, 2006, 11:58 am 11:58 am
Senior week in cancun is a time for young people to go have fun! But they need to realize the reality of what can really happen. If they did lower the drinking age again, more teens would be less likely to travel to destinations where drinking is allowed, because they would be able to drink at their current destination.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 1, 2006, 12:10 pm 12:10 pm
I do have to question what the attraction is here. If you want to drink, do it at home. Iraq is a dangerous place with the possibility of getting injured or killed. If I going there knowing this and get injured, who’s to blame?
Here’s an idea. Stay home and don’t drink. With every generation becoming dumber (ex: school tests at an earlier age) and now deaf (with the popularity of ipod’s) they are going to need every brain cell they have.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 1, 2006, 12:23 pm 12:23 pm
As a recent high-school graduate, I can honestly say that teens who go down to these places are practically inviting bad things to happen. They drink all day and night, sleep with other random teens they meet, and purposely flaunt their bodies. Most of my friends came back with little memory of what happened because they were drunk most of the time. Not that it’s their fault that people are preying on them, but they aren’t exactly watching out for themselves. I also agree that…”what parent would send their 18 year old high school graduate off to Cancun for a drunkfest?” Its a fact of life that there are perverts and predators out there and you can’t catch them all, so why open the door for them?
Posted by: Aubrey | June 1, 2006, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm
Any woman or young lady should never go anywhere outside the U.S. unless they are traveling with friend, preferably a male friend, or a group of people that are going to watch them and get involved in who they meet. Constant awareness is the best policy!!!!!
Posted by: Leroy Hood | June 1, 2006, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm
Taking advantage of young, easily impressionable minds has gone on forever and will always happen. As parents, you try to teach your children everything, but sooner or later they have to step out on their own. When they do, you hope for the best.
Posted by: James | June 1, 2006, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm
As a parent who has three kids now in their 20′s, it would have been totally irresponsible for me to allow my kids, at the age of 18 to go to Cancun. My wife and I spent 10 days in Cancun in 1987 and even back then, there were high schoolers drinking, stumbling, puking, flashing, getting lost and screwing up. I don’t know about the rest of the parents in this country, but my wife and I were strong enough to say no. My kids could and have gone to Mexico when they were on their own. But under my roof, we set fair guidelines when they were young and we were tough, but we have great kids and they love and respect us. It just takes guts and some hard work to say no to them.
Posted by: James | June 1, 2006, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm
Paula, I doubt that the drinking age is the ultimate motivating force here… the current drinking age does nothing to stop kids from getting drunk on the weekends in the states. And do you here of many kids going to places like France for senior week, where the legal drinking and purchase age is 16? No, kids are going to cancun because it’s cancun. They’re going for the beaches and the bikinis… not for the booze. The booze, after all, is a given no matter where the party is.
Posted by: Jason Pipkin | June 1, 2006, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm
I went on a Student Tour Graduation week in Cancun, Mexico when I was eighteen after graduation. I was also raped, but it wasn’t by a stranger, it was by a guy in my class. It was tough, I had been saving myself for marriage and my virginity was taken. I still had four days left in Cancun. The “sponsors” that had gone on the trip with us to be “gaurdians” they were graduates from the previous year, still into the whole partying scene as well. I didn’t feel at the time that they would be able to take care of me and the emotional distress that the rape had put me through, so I waited (big mistake) till we got back to the states and went to the Doctor, I tried to press charges and had contacted a lawyer, they did tell me that it had happened out of the United States jurisdiction and there was no way they could help me.
I am now in my late 20′s and have dealt with issues that most rape victims go through. Most of the kids in my class came home with a tattoo or a piercing that they will have for the rest of their life, I was pierced and tattooed in a way that has changed my life forever. I just want girls to know that they don’t have to just watch for strangers, but that they can be raped by anyone, and in most cases it is by someone they know and “trust.” I realize that Cancun is a trip of a lifetime for most kids, they just need to have their gaurd up ALWAYS.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 1, 2006, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm
I guess nobody goes to florida anymore for spring break because the drinking age is 21, right? Oh wait, I was just there and it was packed. Try again.
Posted by: Chris S | June 1, 2006, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm
I can’t believe that so many parents give in to the peer pressure to let their kids go to Mexico or some other foreign vacation. Or is it just another status symbol to show how rich they are? They are wimps who would rather their children “like them” than really protect their kids. How many more rapes and murdurs do we have to have before the PARENTS grow up? As for the drinking age being lowered, that won’t make any difference at all. As long as drinking is glorified in our society, the age doesn’t matter. These same kids can get just as drunk in USA as they can in Mexico, booze is all around them and the parents sometimes pay for that too.
Posted by: Nicki | June 1, 2006, 1:22 pm 1:22 pm
In the hispanic countries from Mexico on through South America, the women go swimming in shorts and tank tops. American young women wear string bikini’s and low cut bathing suits, sometimes even going topless. To the people in the hispanic countries these women present themselves as immoral and “looking for it”. This is not true in our country, thank goodness, but when Americans are in a foreign country they need to be aware of the cultural differences and function accordingly. Women getting drunk and wearing very little clothing is like waving a red flag in front of the bull. The bull will charge.
Posted by: Tina | June 1, 2006, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
Why is it difficult for people to understand that female body is attractive to male. Others even if they do not rape, they lust these young girls body and committing fornication/adultry in their mind.
It is very important these days that girls should cover their body, unless they are having party at the privacy of their own house.
Men, after watching movies or pictures in internet are unpredictable, in doing such crimes.
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Posted by: stephen | June 1, 2006, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
Senior trip to Cancun? What happened to senior trips to Disney or other theme parks in the US? Why do parents think that they have to lay out the big bucks to send their high school grad to resorts in foreign countries? As to “chaperones” these are individuals who are looking for “cheap” vacations as they usually get steap discounts on their hotel/travel if they volunteer to act as a chaperone on these kinds of trips. Does anyone really think that Natalie Holloway is the first girl/boy to disappear on one of these trips to Mexican resorts or even resorts in other foreign countries? As to the rapes of the girls in the previous blogs…this is nothing new either…and this happened everywhere not just Cancun or other resorts that cater to the “drink to excess crowds.” Any time a woman (and sometimes the man)gets stinking/falling down/passing out/puking drunk there is always a predator out there who is going to take advantage of their condition.
The smart thing to do (no matter where you go) is to not drink to excess and be aware of and guard your own safety.
Posted by: Deb | June 1, 2006, 2:01 pm 2:01 pm
Cancun is for one thing only and that’s to party. These girls know what they are getting into, it’s too bad they are so young and can’t realize the real dangers.
If a guy rapes a woman, he should be taken into the sea for shark bait.
That would be cool.
Posted by: Billie | June 1, 2006, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm
Honestly, who is to blame for all this? Both the parents; that KNOW the risk their child can be in by flying outside of the states and the teens themselves. I just graduated high school and I am going to senior week; but to a beach that is in my same state. Predators and perverse men are all over the place, not just in Mexico. Unfortunately teenagers think that drinking and doing all the things they should be is the only way to have fun… It’s NOT! When they get alcohol in their system they begin to act stupid and start trouble. I see it with my own friends; they flaunt their bodies causing the wrong attention from guys. So, even if your child is 18 and is considered a “legal adult”; you as a parent know more and can make the right decision by NOT giving them that money to buy the ticket to Cancun or where ever it is that isn’t near by; Anyway, just a thought from a 19 yr.
Posted by: Alexandra | June 1, 2006, 2:26 pm 2:26 pm
I’m 20 years old…and i live in Canada. I’ve found that teens here don’t go looking for a place to go for spring break or after grad, because we can drink here at 18. This really does have an imapct of the American teens, because they want to drink after grad and on spring break. That another reason why i don’t go to the State often, because i enjoy going to a resturant and having a drink with my meal… Can’t do that there if your not 21!
Posted by: Anonymous | June 1, 2006, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
Be wise no matter where you are! If you don’t practice drinking until your senses are dull at home,why do so out of town? Even better, why exhibit behaviors that are absolutely out of the norm for you while out of the country?
Parents…it’s still okay to escort a high school senior. No matter what anyone says, they are not adults and hence are not at the age of responsibility. They are still in training.
Posted by: Mystic | June 1, 2006, 2:43 pm 2:43 pm
I would say if anyone is going to Mexico to be aware of the dangers
in any part of that country. The police are often corrupt and if you need help they are not always the place to go to get it. You really have to be alert and be in a group of people that you can trust and look out for each other.
Know that you are taking a risk when going to this country.
Posted by: MFLORES | June 1, 2006, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm
I graduated high school in 2005. None of my friends went anywhere for “senior week” (something I’ve never heard of). I’ve never done any drugs or alcohol in my life, I don’t understand how being drunk and acting stupid is a good time. I can go to a baseball game or just go over one of my friends houses and have a great time.
I agree with the people here who have questioned the judgement of parents. What parent in their right mind would send their kids, unsupervised, to Cancun. They may be 18, but you can’t tell me these kids have enough money to pay for a trip like that. The parents have to pay for at least some of it.
If these grads want to waste their life away being drunk, go ahead. The world could use a lot less people like that.
Posted by: Brian | June 1, 2006, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
I do hope that when Mr. Ross airs this information that he does state the whole truth – that most rapes are NOT by Mexican men – which is what most people are going to assume – but it is by other AMERICAN tourists!!
Posted by: Donna | June 1, 2006, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm
They got it cuz they are dumb. In with the hope out with the dope
Posted by: edgar | June 1, 2006, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm
I am an American living in Costa Rica. I see the same thing here as in Cancun. Young adults in the US take for granted all of the protection, respect and security of the United States when they visit foreign countries. They assume that because “no means no” in the United States where boys have been trained to yeild to the wishes of girls translates to other cultures. It does not!
Also, foreigners on vacation (especially teens) seem to leave their judgement at home. I honestly feel that many young girls that visit here are afraid to offend a local guy who approaches them in a bar or on the street. So, they talk to someone who makes them feel uncomfortable. After a few drinks, they lose that discomfort and bad things happen.
When visiting Latin America do not drink to much in public unless you have very good, attentive friends with you who will make sure that you make it home safely. Use your intuition when dealing with foreigners as you would back home in the states. Never leave the group and go with anyone outside of the establishment.
Posted by: Steve | June 1, 2006, 4:16 pm 4:16 pm
why in the world do people think the only way to have a good time is with alchol??I don’t get it at all. People need to get God in there life and then they would know what a true high is, knowing God as your pesonal Lord and Saviour is the absolute most wonderfulest thing you can ever do.
Posted by: annoymous | June 1, 2006, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm
To all of those who are saying that we should lower the drinking age to 18 to lower the enticement to go to Cancun – Sure,let’s lower it back to 18 and have them all get killed along with God only knows how many other unwitting souls while driving drunk in the USA. Makes perfect sense.
Posted by: Ed | June 1, 2006, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm
I was in Mazatlan for my senior trip 20 years ago and it was fine, because we all stayed in a group. That being said, my daughter will not be going to Mexico or Aruba or anywhere else outside the US for senior trip. These kids may be 18 and legally adults, but the world is full of predators and to send these kids out among them is irresponsible of the parents.
Posted by: Dawn | June 2, 2006, 8:29 am 8:29 am
Being a parent, I am personally a little tired of being the one at fault for the actions of bad decision making young adults.The average typical household cannot afford to have a decent roadtrip let alone send the kids off to Mexico, or anywhere else for that matter.It’s really scary out here, the local beaches aren’t safe anymore, the backyard is fine for us!
Posted by: unknown | June 4, 2006, 9:58 am 9:58 am
WE ALL NEED TO REMEMBER THAT YOUNG WOMEN ARE RAPED IN THIS COUNTRY AT AN ASTRONOMICAL RATE. WHY NOT ADDRESS THAT ISSUE. THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR DAUGHTERS IS TO TEACH THEM HOW TO BEHAVE IN “ANY” COUNTRY. UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE PREDATORS EVERYWHERE. NOT JUST CANCUN.
Posted by: CINDY | June 5, 2006, 10:11 am 10:11 am
History teaches us we learn little or nothing from it. Regardless of the assaults, this behaviour will continue, because people of this age category are (as others have correctly pointed out) invincible.
Parents have varying degrees of authority over an 18 year old girl, and she is at an age where alcohol and stupidity combine with sex and sun to form a nasty mixture called vulnerability! It seems that only after a brutal attack will some of these girls ever learn.
Posted by: Howard | June 5, 2006, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm
okay. people just need to let go of the fact that kids drink. as long as there is alcohol 15,16,17 years olds and higher will drink alcohol. Who really cares? Let them have there fun. Let them learn from there mistakes. I live in Canada and im sixteen. I drink, its not hard to get alcohol. Parents overreact. They did the same things when they were our age. Why take away fun places like mexico because there scared we will drink. we do it anyways
Posted by: kris | June 14, 2006, 3:51 pm 3:51 pm
Those who see the solution as lowering the drinking age to 18 are wrong. We tried that and there were way too many drunk drving deaths.
I visited one of these resorts many years ago and the behavior I saw made me embarrassed to be an American there.
Posted by: Joe | June 24, 2006, 9:12 pm 9:12 pm
This is a ridiculous argument. Drunk girls will be preyed on anywhere in the world. People need to recognize that kids have to grow up sometime, and that there is nothing wrong with parents who allow their kids to go what amounts to a trip of a lifetime and the last real chance to be together with all of their friends on their own adventure. Especially in our current society, where kids have continually less and less freedom to have fun like past generations. Drinking age plays a role of course- but it is not as important as many think. Even if it were lower here in the US, students would still choose an exotic destination like mexico or somewhere in the caribbean to celebrate a defining moment in their lives. Besides, most graduated seniors have a way of procuring alcohol for themselves in the US anways.
Posted by: Erik | August 30, 2006, 1:12 am 1:12 am
I am 40and Married with 3 children and was a victim of rape.This happened 6 weeks ago in March 2007 I was drugged at the RUI Caribe Hotel Cancun Mexico and I was not aware that there was no rape kits or help of any kind in MExico. I did not invite this nore did I want this. To say that a person invites harm into ones life is just crazy. I Brought my son with me because I wanted to bond with him and have a good time. I was at my hotel when my rape happened I thought that I was in a safe environment!!! Not!!! I had to come home early to get medical treatment. So all I have to say is that we have to educate our sons and daughters and every one that goes to MExico you could be some rapist next victim of this horrible crime!!!Did you know it is legal to buy these date rape drugs in Mexico I did not now I know.
Posted by: Dfox | April 20, 2007, 10:19 am 10:19 am