Police apologise for ‘victim blaming’ alcohol message
Force withdraws clubbing advice after criticism
Local police have apologised after being accused of ‘victim blaming’ amid growing concerns of spiking in local pubs and clubs.
Forth Valley Police withdrew advice posted on their facebook account last Thursday telling people to drink less so they can be more aware of risks.
The post said: “Drinking alcohol can make us more vulnerable or prone to accidents. The more you drink, the less you’ll be able to spot dangerous situations so you’re more likely to do something risky.
“Never leave your drink unattended. “Don’t take drugs. There is no ‘safe’ way to do so, there is always a risk.
“Stick with your friends and make sure everyone gets home safely at the end of the night”.
Activists, however, slated the post for being damaging and claimed the narrative ‘perpetuates a culture of violence’.
Reclaim Stirling, a campaign pushing for change in regard to sexual violence at Stirling University, shared the police post on their social media.
They said: “We have the right to make it home safe.
“Even if: We drank too much. We took drugs. We left our drink unattended. We were spiked. We wore revealing clothes. We walked home alone.
“This rhetoric is damaging. We have to stop victim blaming.”
However, Divisional Commander for Forth Valley Division Alan Gibson said on Friday morning: “This was a well-intentioned post on social media which unfortunately does not reflect Police Scotland’s well-established commitment to putting the blame for criminality on offenders.
“This message should not have been posted, it has been taken down and we apologise unreservedly for the concern and upset it has caused. We will address the issue with the staff member involved.”
Last week bosses at a Stirling bar vowed to ramp up searches and refuse entry to lone customers following rising fears about drinks being spiked.
Tingle bar staff will deploy a female bouncer when possible, remove unattended drinks and train staff to spot signs of drugging.
It comes as reports of spiking rise across Scotland with police probing claims people were injected with drugs against their knowledge in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee.
Police say there have been no local complaints of spiking by injection but they are investigating reports that a woman had her drink spikedearlier this month in Tingle plus one at an unnamed venue.