Today’s post is by Rebekah Brown and speaks to the topic of spiking and how it must stay on our radar and be prevented. Spiking intersects with rape culture and must not be trivialized, or ignored.
Hi, I’m Rebekah, a recent graduate in Theology and Religious Studies from the University of Leeds. I’ve always been passionate about activism and wrote my Final Year Project on how purity culture and rape culture, as reflected in and by the Bible, contribute to victim-blaming of women and men who have been sexually violated. I am eager to channel my enthusiasm for diversity and inclusion when I embark on my new role as HR Assistant at the University of Nottingham!
Why Has Conversation on Spiking Quietened Down? Changing the narrative and speaking up
I joined the University of Leeds in 2021, when spiking was rife and the topic was often and widely discussed; my friends and I were scared to go out, knowing that we could drink nothing and still be spiked with a needle. But for some reason, even though spiking still happens, people are talking about it less, and the silence, in turn, has the effect of normalizing spiking, or making it seem like an inevitability, or something not so important.
Spiking Intensification Week in September saw a crucial revisit to the conversation about women’s safety. I am an ambassador for Women Friendly Leeds, which undertook research in this area to identify potential solutions to spiking. We have created three asks to summarize the action required to take the next steps to tackle spiking:
- Awareness, education, and anti-spiking campaigns
Helpful messaging about what being spiked might look like and its symptoms is currently riddled with fear-mongering and a warning-like narrative directed at women. For example: “Make sure you walk home with a friend” – “What you wear could attract the wrong attention” – “Don’t take your eyes off your drink.” In some cases, women change their behaviour in ways that lead to other dangers, such as downing drinks at the bar to avoid spiking, which leads to quicker intoxication. Women are being asked to change their behaviour; but should we not address the issue at the root? Thus, while this ask continues to push for more education for women around spiking, it is rooted in a change of messaging. Education directed towards perpetrators of spiking is what we want to see increased, informing them of the consequences of this crime—and that spiking is a crime.
- A review of licensing, awareness raising of current anti-spiking measures, and suggestions of potential steps
Venues are currently not held liable for spiking on their premises, despite a crime having taken place on their watch or in their midst. Too many venues try to absolve themselves of responsibility for what occurs there—be it theft, physical abuse, or spiking. This ask focuses on placing a greater onus on venues to take reasonable precautions to keep women safe—although, yes, it is hard to believe that we have to ask for this. For venues to adopt a zero-tolerance stance on spiking and commit to measures such as checking bags, providing free drink covers, and banning perpetrators would act as a deterrent.
- Welfare above all
How many times has a woman who has been spiked been told she’s “too drunk”? This is a typical example of victim-blaming and places vulnerable women in real danger. Venues are willing to kick women out on to the streets if they appear “too drunk” (or spiked), rather than prioritizing their safety and well-being. It is understood that ensuring the welfare of women above all else will “de-stigmatize safety concerns, reduce feelings of fear, and empower women as they will feel listened to” (Women Friendly Leeds, 2023: 4). If women know they can ask for help without being scrutinized about their state, they can feel reassured and re-empowered.
These asks focus on changing the narrative, addressing perpetrators’ behaviours, venue responsibilities, and challenging the victim-blaming tendencies associated with spiking. We advocate for change and speak out on spiking concerns, as it still happens and has detrimental physical and psychological effects on anyone who is spiked, as well as on women in particular, more widely.
The full report conducted by Women Friendly Leeds can be found here: https://womenfriendlyleeds.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Spiking-Report-Executive-Summary-2.pdf
