Xiaohongshu
*Content note: discussion of sexual violence and assault
For many students, socialising and nights out are an exciting part of university life. But it's also completely understandable if you've felt worried about stories of drink spiking, or heard concerns on social media.
Spiking is a serious issue - and if you've experienced it, or know someone who has, those feelings and experiences are completely valid. Nobody should have to worry about someone interfering with their drink or putting them at risk.
What is spiking?
Spiking is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into another person's drink or body without their knowledge and consent. Any drug can be used to spike someone, but the most commonly used drugs are:
- Alcohol - shots of alcohol can be added to drinks to make them stronger. This causes someone to get drunk much quicker than expected.
- Recreational drugs - recreational drugs such as Ecstasy, LSD Ketamine and other "party drugs" are sometimes used to spike alcoholic drinks.
- Rohypnol and GHB - these drugs, are commonly known as "date rape drugs". Whilst they have and can be used to sedate or incapacitate a victim, data repeatedly shows they are rarely found in spiking cases.
- Recently, police have warned of a rise in vape and medicine spiking. This has included using prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication and drug-laced vapes to spike victims. You can read more about this here.
It's understandable to feel anxious about spiking, especially when stories and warnings are so visible during Freshers' and Welcome periods. It's important to acknowledge that spiking does happen, and for those affected it can be a distressing experience. At the same time, these discussions can sometimes create a a fear that spiking using Class A drugs is more common than the evidence suggests.
Research says:
Recognising these facts isn't about minimising the reality that spiking in order to enact harm happens. Nobody should feel that they have to stop socialising or miss out on university life because of concerns about being spiked. The responsibility lies entirely with those who choose to harm others, and we expect everyone in our community to treat each other with respect and never interfere with another person's drink or body.
What to do if your drink has been spiked
It only takes a few minutes, 15 – 30 minutes, to feel the effects of a spiked drink. If your drink has been spiked, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to smell, see or taste any difference but if you feel off, or more drunk than you should be, then get help straight away. Drinkaware has some helpful advice on what to do if you're with a friend who you think may have been spiked.
If you’re in one of our bars, please seek help from bar staff immediately. You will be taken to a safe place for help, and this might also help us identify the person who has spiked your drink. If you wish to learn more about the safety measures in place in our on campus bars please visit our Bar Safety page.
Support services
If you think you may have been spiked, support is available. It's important to seek medical help as soon as possible, particularly if you would like a toxicology test, as many substances leave the body within 12 hours or sooner.
If you're worried that spiking may have resulted in a sexual assault, A Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) can offer specialist support, medical care and forensic examination, whether or not you choose to involve the police. There is no pressure to make a report, and any forensic evidence can be stored for up to two years while you decide what feels right for you.
A&E can also provide immediate care and advice, though they do not ordinarily carry out forensic testing, this would ordinarily be arranged by the police.
The services below can also provide support:
- Prevention & Intervention Support Team: Our team of Sexual Violence Liaison Officers are here to provide ongoing emotional and practical support following any type of sexual violence. We are independent from UCL and confidential, though we can support students to report to the university if they wish, as well as supporting with advocacy around any impacts on academic studies. We can also support someone to access specialist support through external services. We are, however, not an emergency service, so it would be best to call a SARC, attend A&E or call 999 if someone needs urgent support and care.
- The 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support line - a service for anyone aged 16 and over in England and Wales who has been affected by rape, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or any other form of sexual violence, at any point in their life. They also provide interpreters.
- UCL Student Support and Wellbeing
- UCL Report + Support
- The Havens Sexual Assault Referral Centres
- Samaritans
- London Nightline.