Spiking is giving someone else drugs or alcohol without their knowledge or permission. For example:
-Drink spiking is drugs or alcohol to someone else's drink
-Needle spiking injecting drugs into someone else's body with a needle or auto-injector pen
-Cape or cigarette spiking is giving someone drugs in a cigarette or e-cigarette
-Food spiking is adding drugs to someone's food
This video from the UK Parliament (the UK’s law-making body) outlines the harmful impact that spiking has on people in the UK. Spiking often takes away a person’s control, so it may be done to make it easier for the perpetrator to rob, harm, physically attack or sexually assault someone.
If you think you or someone you know has been spiked, you can:
-Go your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department or call 999 if it is a medical emergency. You can also call 999 to report the crime to the police.
-Speak to your GP or call NHS 111 if you need medical advice. If you have been spiked with a needle, seek medical advice to prevent infection.
-If you want to report the crime anonymously, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
-If you were spiked in a public place such as a pub or club, you may want to inform the venue where it happened so that they can investigate.
Further support resources can be found below:
-Rape Crisis: If you have been sexually assaulted as a result of spiking, you can find advice and support here.
-Drink Aware: For practical advice on reducing the risk of being spiked and information on the symptoms of being spiked, click here.
-Victim Support: Victim Support can provide more information on how to report a spiking incident externally.
-Stamp Out Spiking: SoS are a charity focused on prevention, response, and long-term change with spiking in the UK.