A Statement Against Drink-Spiking
(Trigger warnings: drink-spiking, violence against women, sexual violence, alcohol, and substance misuse).
Students at London Met may be aware of reports of drink-spiking happening in pubs, bars, and nightclubs across the UK. Here at London Met, your SU promises to do everything we can to keep students safe on nights out and support anyone who has experienced spiking or any other form of gender-based violence.
What is spiking and who does it affect?
Drink-spiking is defined as the process of “putting alcohol or drugs into someone’s drink(s) without their permission”. However, it can also include the use of needles to inject another person with a substance.
What are the signs of somebody who’s been spiked?
- Unconsciousness/Blackouts
- Vomiting/Nausea
- Short-term memory loss
- Confusion/Disorientation
- Hallucinations
- Altered perception of time
- Loss of feeling in the body
These behaviours can be mistaken for drunkenness, so it’s important to look out for someone who seems unusually confused on a night out.
How can I help somebody who's been spiked?
According to the anti-spiking campaign I’ve Been Spiked, you should:
- Stay alert and keep talking to them
- Alert a member of staff and/or security
- Seek medical help - call 999 immediately
- Find a safe place where another trusted person can find you
- Make sure they get home safe and with someone you both know and trust
- Try to prevent them from drinking any more alcohol as this could worsen the problem
- Keep a close eye on the person who may have been spiked and monitor their condition
If you, or anybody suspects that sexual assault has taken place at the time of spiking:
What are practical measures you can take to help protect yourself & others against the risk of spiking?
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Watch out for your friends and look after each other
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Never leave your drink unattended
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Be cautious if you are bought or given a drink – consider only accept drinks from people you know and trust
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Be wary if people are reaching over your drinks
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Alert staff immediately if you see anyone acting suspiciously around your or someone else's drink
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If you or a friend feel unwell, seek help from staff or call 999 immediately
Relevant support services
Bear in mind...
Spiking can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, but it is a crime usually committed against women. With this in mind, it’s important not to place the blame on the victim.
Everybody deserves to enjoy themselves on a night out without being fearful of what might happen to them.
Notably, marginalised groups such as members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people of colour are also more likely to experience harassment in public spaces and are less likely to feel safe reporting their experiences to the police. More information about racist and homophobic public sexual harassment can be found here.