Information on Spiking

We're aware there's been a lot of concern and conversation about spiking in Shetland recently. While we cannot comment on individual cases, for anyone concerned about spiking, we have compiled some information that we hope helps to inform people about this issue and how you can help prevent it and keep those affected safe from further harm.

ABOUT SPIKING

Spiking is the colloquial term for when a person is drugged without their knowledge or consent. People may spike others for many reasons, including to humiliate; to assert power; to show off to others; and/or to enable further crimes such as theft, sexual assault, and rape.

The most common method of spiking is covertly adding alcohol to a non-alcoholic drink, or extra alcohol to an alcoholic one. This form of spiking is often normalised but is no less serious than other forms of spiking. Different illegal or prescription drugs can also be used, causing varied effects. But the most commonly used drugs are sedatives, which are even more powerful and dangerous when combined with alcohol. This combination can cause amnesia, drowsiness, slurring, aggression, lack of coordination, paralysis, and in some cases, respiratory failure. Whatever the motive, and however it’s done, spiking is never okay or funny. It can make a person extremely vulnerable and ill; have a lasting impact on their wellbeing and life; and even cause medical emergencies and death.

SPIKING & SEXUAL VIOLENCE

Spiking someone in order to rape or sexually assault them is known as drug-facilitated sexual assault. Whilst there is a perception that drug assisted sexual assault happens in pubs and clubs and is carried out by unknown attackers, it can also happen in the home, the workplace or elsewhere, by people known and trusted. In Scotland, there is no specific criminal offence for spiking, but depending on the circumstances of the case, spiking may fall under the common law offence of 'drugging’ or may be a crime under section 11 of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 - administering a substance for sexual purposes. Survivors of drug-assisted sexual assault are often afraid to tell anyone what happened to them. Where this happens on a night out, they might worry that because they’d been drinking or had taken recreational drugs beforehand, they’ll be blamed. They might have very little memory of what happened and be worried about being believed because of this. But no matter whether alcohol or drugs were taken, through choice or not, the responsibility for sexual violence always lies with the perpetrator.

IF YOU’VE EXPERIENCED SPIKING AND/OR DRUG-ASSISTED SEXUAL ASSAULT

You are not alone and there is help available to you.If you are worried you may have been spiked, please seek medical advice as soon as possible.If you wish to report this to the police, it is important to do this as soon as possible as traces of drugs can leave your system very quickly, along with other forensic evidence. This varies depending on the drug, some will leave no trace after 12 hours, others 48.If you are not sure about reporting to police, the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), based at Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick, is a self-referral service for anyone, of any gender, aged 16+, who has been recently raped or sexually assaulted. The service stores forensic medical evidence for up to 26 months, meaning that people do not need to make any immediate decisions about whether to report to the police. People can refer themselves to a SARC by calling their dedicated number, which is available 24/7 and free from landlines and mobile: 0800 148 88 88.If you need to speak with someone about what happened, you can contact The Compass Centre by calling 01595 747174 Mon-Thurs 9am-1.30pm, emailing contact@compasscentre.org, or filling out the referral form at compasscentre.org/referral-form/You can also speak with Rape Crisis Scotland every night 5pm-midnight, and your information can be passed (with your consent) to The Compass Centre if you would like to access more support locally. The RCS Helpline is free to call on 08088 01 03 02, text on 07537 410 027, or email support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk

TACKLING THE ISSUE OF SPIKING

Spiking, like sexual violence generally, is a behaviour driven by attitudes of entitlement, power, and control. It is allowed to continue when we accept it as an unchangeable hazard of life rather than a behaviour that can be challenged and changed. People of all genders experience spiking, but because it is motivated by power and entitlement, there is often a gendered element to it that means women and girls are disproportionately expected to “put up with it,” “protect themselves”, or disengage from community spaces altogether to avoid it. This can also mean people of other genders who experience spiking struggle to talk about what happened to them because it doesn’t “fit” the stereotype of what spiking looks like. Efforts to prevent spiking have historically focused on how people can avoid being spiked. Products such as drinks covers can certainly be useful personal safety measures, and we would encourage all bars to make sure these are available to their customers freely. But tackling the root of the problem must focus on the reasons that people spike and engage the whole community in holding them accountable for this behaviour and keeping each other safe. The Compass Centre has developed some top tips for everyone to better be able to keep each other safe on a night out that you can find online here. If you’d like printed copies for personal use, your bar or establishment, your taxi or any other business, please email us at contact@compasscentre.org

BEING A POSITIVE BYSTANDER

As someone in the community, when we are worried someone has been spiked or is in danger of being sexually assaulted, we want to help. This is called being a positive bystander. But often we worry we’ve misread the situation; that it’s not our place to speak up; or even that we might put ourselves in danger if we do.Checking that others are safe is always a good thing to do. If they are safe, and the person with them is looking out for them, then they should appreciate you checking in. But it can be hard to know how to approach these situations and sometimes people react badly to this.

SAFETY FIRST

Your safety is incredibly important. You can’t help someone else if you are not safe. If you have friends with you, inform them what you’ve seen and get their support in addressing the situation. If you think it won’t be safe for you to approach the situation head on, make sure you or your friends keep an eye on the person you’re worried about and report it.

REPORTING

If you are in a public place, you can report it to a person in authority (a bouncer, bar staff, a manager) or direct to the police or ambulance. If the person has friends in the area and you know who they are, you can speak to them to tell them your worries.

INDIRECT METHODS

If you would rather approach the person you’re worried about directly, and you think it is safe to do so, you can try indirect methods. If the person you are worried about seems sober enough to understand, you can try giving them an “out” from the situation. For example: “Oh hi! I haven’t seen you in ages! How are you getting on? I was actually just nipping [down the road / to the bar / outside], do you fancy joining me for a catch up?” This kind of approach gives the potential victim an “out” from situation without angering the potential perpetrator and putting you both in danger.

DIRECT METHODS

If you would rather approach the person you’re worried about directly, and you think it is safe to do so, you can try direct methods. If you can, make sure you have support from a friend or loved one before approaching. If you can do this together, even better.

• Approach the person you are worried about, ask them if they are okay and how you can help. Be aware they might be afraid to say anything
• If you are still worried and you feel safe enough to do so, you can check with the person accompanying them what their relationship is and what they are doing with them. You can then check with the potential victim if this is true.
• If they are too intoxicated to answer, check with their friends.
• If you feel safe enough to do so, you can point out what specifically has worried you about the situation.
• If the person accompanying them seems irritated by you checking on their safety, or if you still feel that the situation is off, report it.
• It's important to remain calm and not put yourself or the person you are concerned about at risk. Only discuss the perpetrators actions with them if you feel that both you and the person you are concerned about will be safe by you addressing this. If you are not sure of the reaction, it is safest to choose a more indirect method.

WHAT IF SOMEONE APPROACHES ME?

If someone approaches you to check if you or your friend, partner or family member is ok remember: this isn’t an insult to your character. By checking in on each other’s safety, we do everyone a favour