In the year following the incident, I carried the memory as if it were a dirty secret, erroneously feeling a sense of shame as if I had done something wrong when, in fact, I was the victim. It wasn’t until October 2021, witnessing the distressing events unfolding among young women at universities across the country, that I decided to leverage my newfound platform and bravely (or naively) share my story. I aimed to stand in solidarity with others and draw media attention to the pressing issue at hand.

After speaking about my experience, my inbox became flooded with messages from fellow survivors. This heinous crime spared no one regardless of race, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic status or age. Recognising the urgency, I understood that I couldn’t simply turn away. I returned to parliament to seek ministerial support in championing the cause for meaningful change.

In the late hours of Sunday night, the Home Office issued a press release detailing a significant announcement from James Cleverly, the home secretary. I naturally embrace the recent announcement, applauding Cleverly’s comprehensive plan to tackle the concerning increase in spiking incidents, both during the festive season and beyond. But while we’re acknowledging the commendable efforts by the government, it is crucial to scrutinise whether these measures genuinely go the extra mile when it comes to safeguarding women.

Before delving into the government’s proposed measures, let’s establish what spiking is. Drink spiking involves the secretive addition of substances, often drugs, to someone’s drink or body without their knowledge or consent. This perverse act exposes victims to risks ranging from loss of consciousness to secondary crimes such as sexual assault or theft.

The consequences of spiking extend beyond the immediate physical and mental harm caused to victims. Being spiked erodes trust, instils fear and contributes to a culture of vulnerability, particularly among women. The violation of personal boundaries through spiking perpetuates a climate of insecurity, inhibiting individuals from freely enjoying social spaces.

The government’s press release acknowledges the complexity of spiking cases, with Assistant Chief Constable Samantha Millar, the NPCC strategic programme director for violence against women and girls, highlighting the challenges in gathering evidence and identifying suspects promptly. This complexity underscores the urgency of addressing the spiking epidemic and implementing robust measures to protect potential victims.

While the update in legislation is welcomed by many campaigners and organisations, it falls short in one key way: making spiking a specific criminal offence. The proposed measures demonstrate a commitment to tackling spiking, but some areas need additional scrutiny. Let’s explore: 

• Updating legislation: while modernising the language in legislation is a positive step, the effectiveness of this measure hinges on its ability to prompt a cultural shift. Public awareness and education are crucial in ensuring that individuals understand the gravity of spiking and the legal repercussions attached to it.
• Training and research: training door staff to identify potential perpetrators and investing in research for spiking testing kits are laudable efforts. However, the success of these initiatives depends on their thorough implementation and timely dissemination. The government must ensure that these measures become practical tools rather than mere rhetoric.
• Reporting tools: the introduction of an online spiking tool for reporting is a positive development, but emphasis should be placed on ensuring it is user-friendly, accessible and encourages victims to come forward without fear of stigma.

Navigating societal attitudes towards drink spiking, and the advocacy against it, has been an eye-opening experience, revealing a disheartening undercurrent of scepticism and trolling. As someone deeply committed to raising awareness and combating this widespread issue, I’ve encountered online criticism suggesting that my efforts are motivated by profiting off personal experiences. It’s perplexing to witness how some individuals find it more disconcerting that women choose to build careers around addressing male violence and trauma than the stark reality of daily threats women face. It’s important to clarify that all my work in spiking awareness and prevention is conducted entirely pro bono, driven by a genuine commitment to safeguard individuals from harm. The focus should unequivocally be on eradicating the root problem of drink spiking and fostering a society where women can pursue careers in advocacy without facing undue scrutiny or misplaced scepticism.

As we navigate the festive season, it’s vital to amplify the discussion surrounding drink spiking and to actively participate in the implementation and improvement of the government’s proposed measures. But the work doesn’t end here. We need to collectively work towards creating a society where the safety of women is non-negotiable, and where initiatives against drink spiking are integrated into a comprehensive strategy against gender-based violence. This is a big moment; let’s seize it. Women must be free to have fun in social spaces without the fear of being spiked. 

Images: Bevon Burke Studios