Wednesday 27-10-2021 - 16:38

There has been a growing number of reports of women being spiked in nightclubs and bars across the UK, either through spiking ‘by injection’ or drink spiking. It is alarming that individuals, who are predominately men, would carry out this wrong and illegal behaviour. These individuals need to change their behaviour.

Spiking someone’s drink with any substances, including alcohol, without their knowledge can result in serious criminal charges. Drink spiking carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence and perpetrators face a permanent criminal record. It could also lead to disciplinary action for a student under the GCU Code of Student Conduct and impact on their future studies and/or employment. Police Scotland confirmed they are investigating alleged spiking in cities across Scotland including Glasgow and Edinburgh. We want to be clear that spiking is a criminal offence and victims are not at fault.

We want you to feel safe, whether it be on campus or when you’re out with friends. If you’re feeling anxious about going out, have been spiked and need support, or just want someone to talk to, we urge students to contact our Student Advisers within the Advice Centre or GCU Wellbeing Services. The reports around needle-spiking and drink spiking are horrifying and should be properly investigated. Our Advice Centre can support you whether or not you wish to report to Police Scotland.

Additionally, Glasgow Students’ Nightline is a confidential and anonymous listening and information online messaging service which is available during term time, 7pm-12am Monday-Friday.

Some signs of a spiked drink include a foggy appearance, excessive bubbles, sinking ice or a change in colour. However, there can be no visual signs or no change in smell or taste. Ways to prevent drink spiking are never to leave your drink unattended, don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know and keep an eye on your friends for any unusual behaviour that might indicate they have been spiked.

If you’ve been spiked, major symptoms can include loss of vision, sudden vomiting, loss of balance and confusion. Individuals targeted by spiking by injection say that they have lost all memory of the night or collapsed and have reported having a painful red dot or mark on their body following a night out. Victims of suspected spiking via injection should get blood tests as soon as possible, due to the risks of infectious diseases.

If you suspect that you or someone you know has been spiked while you’re still out, tell nearby bar staff or a bouncer straight away. If you think you or someone you are with has been spiked, you should contact ambulance services by dialling 999 to receive the appropriate medical care. Do not leave the person you believe has been spiked on their own. Stay with them and keep talking to them. Make sure you take them home yourself and don’t let them leave with anyone you don’t know.

If you need to get home safely and are unable to fund your travel home, you can call Glasgow Taxis and let them know you are a GCU student wishing to use the Get Home Safe scheme and show your student ID. You can find out more here: www.GCUstudents.co.uk/safetaxis.

Venues should take an active role in looking after their customers to minimise the opportunity for individuals to commit spiking leading to a safer environment for students.

Olivia Hall (they/them)
Vice President SCEBE