There have been almost 200 reports of spiking in nightclubs and bars across the UK since September, according to the National Police Chiefs’ Council.
But now a shocking new trend is emerging, with more than 20 victims claiming to have been spiked with a needle. Both men and women are targeted, although most victims are young women, many of whom have been students.
Donovan is the author of Drink Spiking and Predatory Drugging: A Modern History, in which she encourages anyone who thinks they have been spiked to go to the A&E department of their local hospital if severe symptoms arise. These include sudden loss of consciousness; shallow breathing; vision or motion impairment; and a feeling of disorientation.
Unfortunately, as you can’t tell if your drink has been spiked, you have to catch someone in the act.
The women below who spoke to Rising East about their own experiences did not go to the police. “I didn’t think it was worth it or that we would be taken seriously”, said Freya Barnes.
Spiking is illegal in the UK and carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.
Donovan is weary of victim blaming. “I agree with critics who note that women are always given this long list of ‘don’t do this, don’t do that’,” she said, “which is both placing the burden on potential victims and full of not-all-that-useful advice anyway.”
Her advice is to stay in the company of friends; not to drink too fast; and to keep to crowded places.”We should encourage everyone to watch out for each other in this respect. Don’t let anyone get isolated.”
Rising East spoke to two women studying in East London who have had their drinks spiked:
