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What is spiking?
Spiking is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into another person’s drink or body without their consent or knowledge. As Stamp out Spiking define it, ‘spiking occurs in a variety of different forms including drink spiking, vape spiking, food spiking and needle spiking’, with the most common cause of spiking in the UK being drink spiking.
You can learn more about spiking here.
Is spiking limited to drinks only?
No, spiking happens other things other than drinks, including food, through injections (as you’ll read in one of the lived experiences below), and recently reported, vapes, which follows previous cases of spiked or laced cigarettes. The below stats from the Stamp out Spiking website show that:
· From May to September in 2022, there were 2,131 reported cases of drink spiking in 4 months
(1st May 2022 to 1st September 2022)- National Police Chief Council
· From September 2021 to August the following year, there were 2,581 reported cases of needle spiking in 1 year
(1st September 2021 to 31st August 2022)- National Police Chief Council
· From May to September 2022, there were 212 reported cases of other spiking e.g. food or vapes in 4 months
(1st May 2022 to 1st September 2022)- National Police Chief Council
Reports of disposable vapes being spiked was all over the news during festival season, but something we saw a lot on social media in response to this was a lot of people blaming those who get spiked for even considering taking vapes, drinks, or food from strangers.
Something we really want to stress is that anyone can spike anyone. This includes people you know, such as friends, colleagues and family members.
If I reached out for support, would someone understand what I've gone through?
Often in these cases, free services like SASH offer a safe space and much needed support for sexual assault victims as a result of spiking, not just because it’s our jobs, but because like many of our service users, both staff and friends of SASH have witnessed or experienced spiking.*
Below, we share our stories.
*For the safety and privacy of our staff and friends, all lived experiences will be kept completely anonymous.
Witnessing someone get their drink spiked
“I was in the smoking area of a club with several of my close friends during my second year of university. It was there I witnessed someone slip a product in a girl’s drink.
Up until this point, I had never discussed with anyone before, what to do in a scenario where someone has been spiked. I did not know this other person, but I definitely wanted to stop her from drinking the contents of her drink. In that moment, I told two of my friends who were standing next to me, and we decided to quietly resolve the situation.
We wanted to either discretely take the girl aside or spill her drink ‘by accident’. In the end, one of her friends accidentally knocked over her drink after slipping over, therefore, preventing anyone from drinking the spiked drink. Although she didn’t have the spiked drink, we still wanted to do something, so we ended up reporting the man to one of the security guards in the smoking area. They informed us they would resolve the situation.
My friends and I didn’t see what happened afterwards as we weren’t comfortable staying in the club.
This experience and situation highlighted to me the lack of conversation around spiking. It also affected my view of the venue and made me quite anxious going out to different clubs. After sharing this story with a few of my other friends, I discovered that two of my other close friends had been spiked before.
Although I personally was not affected, the experience definitely highlighted to me the importance and safety precautions venues should be taking and raising awareness around regarding spiking.
Reflecting on this now after several years, if a similar situation were to reoccur, I would discretely have let the person know about their drink being spiked and asked for a friend to inform security. I'm glad that looking back I was also able to rely on my friends for support and handling the situation. Making decisions on your own in that situation can be particularly overwhelming, so I think involving others can definitely help make the situation more manageable.”
Being spiked
“My experience with being spiked is slightly different to the typical experience. From a very young age I was always told to watch your drinking, meaning never put it down, never drink from your drink if it was left out of sight and don’t take a drink from a stranger.
However, I was spiked in a room full of people who I knew. I was in the second year of university at my partners house share. I had a really busy day at uni and was going to see my partner after my lectures, I had known their house mates for over a year but they had just invited a new friend round to the house. When I went round that evening everyone was drinking and smoking very typical evening, I decided to join them for a drink. I had two drinks and made it to the bathroom and do not remember the rest of the night, I managed to text someone for help but that’s where my memories stop. I was violently ill and completely unconscious. I wasn’t believed by my partner at the time they said I couldn’t handle my drink. A few months later it came out that it wasn’t my drink he was trying to spike but someone else in the house.
This experience really rattled me I was in a place which I treated as home and naturally didn’t think I would have to have my guard up. I was really disheartened that nobody believed me, I thought I was in a safe space as my friends were around me that I could leave my drink on the table.”
Being spiked by a girl on my birthday
“It was my birthday so I went out to a nightclub with my housemates. I’d had a few beers before we went out so I was a little bit tipsy. We went to a club where one of my friend’s worked at the bar, so I knew the bar staff there.
Whilst at the bar I met this girl who attended a different university to me but was visiting some friends for the weekend. She bought me a drink, I can’t remember what drink it was- I think something like a vodka and lemonade?
I don’t remember much after this; I have snippets of memories like her kissing me, me talking to a guy on the dance floor, sitting on the floor next to a bin outside, and that’s about it until I was throwing up when I got home.
Luckily my housemates were with me and I was really close to one of them at the time. They kept checking on me throughout the night and informed me that the girl I was with was trying to get me to go home with her. Apparently, she was quite persistent after I drunk the drink she bought me, and I just kept telling her I didn’t want to. I apparently kissed a guy on the dance floor which annoyed her so she decided to leave me alone at that point. When my housemate approached her to ask her where I was she blunted responded with ‘oh with some guy’.
The next thing I remember I was sat on the floor next to a bin. I’m not sure how I got there but I remember feeling like I couldn’t move, like I was locked inside my body. I remember being carried from the bin into the bouncer’s car with my housemates, getting home and throwing up for what felt like hours. What I found strange is that no matter how much I threw up I wasn’t feeling any better. I woke up the next day feeling like I was having a come down from being drugged.”
Being injection-spiked
“I was out for my friend’s birthday earlier this year in May. We’d been to one bar in Shoreditch, and after one or two watered down and overpriced drinks, we headed to our next and final location a few roads away where we had booked a table for the entire group. I was still very sober, being a bigger person I’ve always been someone who doesn’t feel the affects of alcohol as quickly as someone who is slimmer, and with the drinks so far drunk having been majority ice, I’d not had enough to feel even remotely tipsy. It was also right before payday, so I didn’t have the funds get more than a few drinks for the entire night.
After making it to the second bar, it was noticeably a lot more packed than the previous venue, a lot louder, and the crowd was visibly more rowdier, but it being in London on a Saturday night was expected. My friends and I settled in, ordered another drink each, and then I went with one of our friends to request a song from the DJ.
The next thing I know, I’m by myself in a crowd of people I don’t know in the bar, really dizzy, cold but sweating at the same time, and looking at my phone, hours have passed by since I last checked the time. I’ve got a tone of messages from friends asking me where I am, including one who is looking around the bar for me, but I’m just dazed and confused at what is going on.
I manage to find my friends and we leave the bar, and at first some are a bit off with me because I’d apparently gotten really drunk, smashed a glass, kept running off, and then ditched them in the bathroom before getting myself lost ten minutes before I finding myself confused on the dance floor. What didn’t make any sense was I’d only had 4 drinks total since coming out.
We all got safely back to my friend’s where I proceeded to sleep for a straight 6 hours (which usually on their sofa is near impossible) still in my clothes from the night, and woke up feeling groggy, limbs sore, and dazed.
When I got home later that day I slept for over 16 hours til the next morning, managed to work, and then it wasn’t until later that day my mum pointed out the bruise on my arm. After closer inspection, it looked exactly like the bruise you get from injections. Flashes of having felt a sharp pain in the bar when going to talk to the DJ came to me, but I remember at the time having thought nothing of it because it was a really busy bar packed with people, I had long sleeves on, and thought someone had just gone against me and some jewellery might have dug into me.
I made the mistake of waiting another day before speaking with my doctor, who informed me that as it had been over 72 hours since the estimated time of injection, they were unable to test what I’d been injection-spiked with. Based on my experience and the accounts of my actions from my friends, the GP said it sounded like I’d been spiked with GHB, but most likely was given too small of a dose compared to my size, so it lasted shorter than it might have done on someone smaller. Neither me or my friends remember anyone trying anything on with me throughout the night, so it was even suspected I might not have been the intended target.
Thankfully, despite being on prescribed medication, nothing I was taking would cause any nasty side effects from being spiked with what we think was GHB, however I did have to have a check up for Hepatitis B and C, as well as HIV (bloodborne viruses that can be passed on from needle sharing). My results came back negative, however this isn’t always the case for others so could have had life changing implications for me. What is worse, is that it wasn’t like there was a drink I should have watched, covered or watch be poured- it was my arm, and I was even wearing long sleeves.”
Why weren’t these experiences reported to the police?
In many cases, such as in the 4 above lived experiences, there is a lack of information on spiking, being a victim of spiking, and what to do if you’ve been spiked. In 2021, Stamp Out Spiking reported that 97.64% of spiking victims don't report being spiked to the police, with the reasons being that the victims ‘didn't think there was enough evidence’ (54.03%), they ‘didn't realise until I thought it was too late’ (34.68%), they weren’t ‘aware of the process and what it would entail’ (31.45%), and that they ‘didn't think the police would believe me’ (29.03%).
However as easy as it is to question why these experiences weren't reported, the main question we should be asking is why do people think its okay to spike others?
How can I prevent my drink from being spiked?
To prevent drink spiking, it is recommended to:
- Only drink drinks you’ve watched be poured
- Don’t take drinks from strangers, only people you know and trust
- Keep your drinks covered (you can use covers such as StopTops or scrunchie drink covers)
- Watch out for your friends and look after one another
- Never leave your drink unattended
- Ensure your night is planned out including the journey to and from your destination
- Make sure the venue you are going to is licensed
Similarly, the same applies to spiking with food or with other items such as vapes.
What do I do if myself or someone else has been spiked?
If you suspect you or someone else has been spiked, get yourself or them to safety and let someone trustworthy know. This can be staff, friends, family, or security. If there is no one around you can trust, then call emergency services on 999.
What support is available?
SOS note that ‘most drugs used in spiking incidents lower inhibitions and leave the victim confused and disorientated, making it easier for the perpetrator to assault the victim. Many victims will also experience memory loss after a spiking incident which makes it harder to secure prosecutions.’
Here at SASH we support all living in Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, and Hammersmith and Fulham with their sexual health, which does also include sexual assault and violence, some as a result of spiking.
Is spiking illegal?
Stamp out Spiking say that “under the current UK law there is no single offence that covers spiking. Instead, a range of more general offences can potentially be used to prosecute perpetrators, such as the offence of administering a substance with intent. Due to the way the law currently works gathering crime statistics on spiking is extremely difficult and that is why Stamp Out Spiking is campaigning to change the law and make spiking a separate criminal offence. We are currently working with both the UK and Scottish Governments to get this terrible act officially recognised as the crime that it deserves. As part of this campaign, we are also seeking to make spiking a licensing requirement which will ensure that all venue owners, bar staff and security personnel are adequately trained on spiking and how to prevent it, how to deal with victims and how to help the local authorities secure a successful prosecution.”
What is Stamp out Spiking?
Stamp out Spiking is a charity dedicated to tackling the ‘increasing incidents of spiking across the UK and Worldwide’, aiming to ‘highlight the dangers of spiking, and offer effective and practical solutions to keep you and your friends safe in pubs, clubs, house parties, festivals and beyond’.
You can find them online or on social media below:
- Website – www.stampoutspiking.org
- LinkTree – www.linktr.ee/stampoutspiking
- Facebook - www.facebook.com/stampoutspiking/
- Twitter – www.twitter.com/stampoutspiking
- Instagram - www.instagram.com/stampoutspiking/
- Tiktok - www.tiktok.com/@stampoutspiking
How can SASH help me?
If you need support or advise with sexual assault or violence, SASH is here for you.
Our services are free, available to those living in the boroughs of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, and Hammersmith and Fulham. These include counselling, coaching, peer mentoring, community engagement and a range of trainings and workshops for both the individual and professional. Reach out here if you need support.
You can also get in contact with us via our social media by either commenting on our posts or sending us a private direct message.
- Facebook - www.facebook.com/ wearesashlondon
- Twitter – www.twitter.com/ wearesashlondon
- Instagram - www.instagram.com/ wearesashlondon
- Tiktok - www.tiktok.com/@ wearesashlondon
- LinkedIn - uk.linkedin.com/showcase/sash-london
If you are in immediate danger or need emergency services, please call 999.
Spiking | Police.uk (www.police.uk)- https://www.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/spiking/spiking/