Emergency: Report and Support is not an emergency service. If there is an immediate risk of serious harm please call the emergency services on 999
What is Spiking?
Spiking is giving someone alcohol or drugs without them knowing or agreeing. This could happen:
- In a drink
- With a needle
- In someone’s food
- In Vapes/cigarettes
- Other substances administered without consent
The Home Office state that, "Spiking is a serious criminal offence. While one of the most common motivations is to facilitate sexual violence, spiking may also be associated with other crimes including theft, assault and harassment."
Recent Home Office guidance explicitly states: "You should not have to change your behaviour to avoid being spiked. The responsibility for spiking always lies with the perpetrator. Advice on staying safer is intended to reduce opportunities for offenders and should never be interpreted as responsibility on victims."
There are no guaranteed ways to prevent spiking from occurring. The following actions can help make it more difficult for a perpetrator to spike your drink. Perpetrators will spike any type of drink, including non-alcoholic drinks, and spiking can occur at any venue, public or private, including parties in houses. If your drink is spiked, it is not your fault.
- Watch your and your friends’ drinks being served
- Use an anti-drink spiking device, such as a Spikey or lid cover.
- Never leave drinks unattended - keep them in your hand or in sight.
- Do not accept drinks from anyone that you don’t know.
- If you are unsure about your drink, don’t drink it.
How to be an Active Bystander
Do not tolerate jokes about spiking. As an active bystander, if you hear your friends or peers joking about or planning drink spiking or see something that is concerning, you can intervene if it is safe to do so. Remember the 5 Ds: Direct; Distract, Delegate; Document; Delay.
If you suspect your friend has been spiked:
- Stay with them and keep talking to them.
- Don’t let them go home on their own or leave them with someone you don’t know or trust.
- Try to prevent them from drinking more alcohol as this can worsen their condition.
- Call an ambulance if their condition deteriorates.
Signs of Drink Spiking
Drugs used to spike drinks are very difficult to detect as they are tasteless, colourless and odourless. Additional alcohol is also hard to detect in alcoholic drinks. The effects of drink spiking vary depending on what substance was used and if it is mixed with other substances, e.g. alcohol, recreational or prescription drugs. Symptoms could include:
- Lowered inhibitions
- Loss of balance
- Feeling sleepy
- Visual problems
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Unconsciousness
- Memory loss or blackouts
- Difficulty communicating or slurred speech
- Hallucinations
- Disorientation
- Feeling significantly more intoxicated than expected
What to do if you suspect you were spiked:
·Get help from a trusted friend or a member of staff at the venue. Do not accept help from strangers, unless they are official employees of a venue.
·If possible, keep the drink and do not throw it away, as it may provide evidence
·Do not go on public transport, get in a taxi or walk home alone.
·Seek medical advice. If seriously unwell, someone you trust should take you to your nearest A&E department; otherwise call 111 or consult your GP. If you suspect spiking by injection seek testing for infections such as hepatitis and HIV. A&E do not offer toxicology tests and will only perform tests for drugs when it is necessary to determine medical treatment.
·If reported promptly, the police may be able to arrange evidence gathering, which could include testing biological samples, drinks or other relevant evidence. Some substances leave the body very quickly, so reporting as soon as possible is important.
Dorset Police have further guidance on their website.
·Report to the University through the Report + Support tool to access support from AUB student services’ wellbeing team and specialist services. The University will then contact you to discuss your report further before taking any action.
Talk to a friend or someone you trust, or look at the support available to you.