Who’s Eyeing Up Your Drink?

What you need to know about spiking:

• Spiking drinks with alcohol or drugs is on the increase.
• People do it ‘to be funny’, out of spite or anger, to rob you or leave you open to sexual assault.
• Don’t just think spiking is with drugs – it’s more likely that someone has vodka added to a pint, or you’re bought doubles instead of singles.
• It only takes 15 minutes for the effects of “rape drugs” to kick in – they can wipe out eight hours of memory.
• Almost 70% of victims know their spiker/rapist.
• Men’s drinks get spiked too!
• If someone spikes your drink with the intention of raping you, they could face up to 10 years in prison (even if a sexual assault doesn’t take place).

How to protect yourself

• Don’t accept a drink from a stranger
• Don’t take drinks from large open containers like a punch bowl
• Don’t share or swap drinks
• Leave your drink with someone you know you can trust when you nip to the toilet or go for a dance
• If you suddenly feel odd or unusually drunk, ask a friend to get you home – but make sure it’s someone you really trust
• If a mate starts acting in a ‘they wouldn’t normally do/say that’ way, she/he might have been drugged – ask for help and get them home safely
• Always look out for each other. If there’s a group of you and one’s driving, get them to be a designated drinks watcher
• All UDSU affiliated bars and nights now supply Spikeys. These devices reduce the risk of people being able to slip anything into your drink, so we would recommend that these were used by all wherever possible.

If you do find yourself becoming a victim of such crimes and need to talk to a professional and qualified advisor in confidence please contact The Source – UDSU’s Independent Student Advice Service. Alternatively for further information and support go to www.roofie.com or www.victimsupport.org.uk