HOW TO SEEK HELP FOR DRINK SPIKING

In the past few months, we've seen a surge in ‘spiking’. This is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into a person’s drink without their permission or knowledge.

We have also seen a surge in needle spiking. This carries the extra risk of being attacked with an unclean needle. Spiking a person is commonly linked with sexual assault or robbery. Across the country, women have been boycotting bars and clubs as part of the ‘Girls Night In’ protest which aims to highlight the lack of safety precautions the nightclub industry has taken against spiking.

If you ever feel unsafe, vulnerable, threatened or unwell, you can ask for help by approaching venue staff and asking for ‘Angela’. This codephrase indicates you need help and a trained member of staff should support and assist you.

As each year comes and goes, there is always a spike in domestic violence reports made to the police at Christmas. This could be attributed to the increase in financial pressure and higher alcohol consumption at this time of year which contributes to the escalation of violence.

Domestic violence comes in different forms: emotional abuse, threats and intimidation, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. Their similarity is that it’s always about having power and control over a significant other. For women experiencing domestic violence, ‘Women’s Aid’ or ‘Refuge’ are organisations dedicated to helping and advising women and children against domestic abuse. For men experiencing domestic violence, the ‘Men’s Advice Line’ is an organisation set up to talk the situation over with male victims.