As part of the Committee’s overarching work into violence against women and girls, the Committee wishes to explore the incidence of spiking at nightclubs and pubs, festivals and private house parties.

Drink spiking has been prevalent for many years. Research by the BBC found there were at least 2,650 reports of drink spiking in England and Wales between 2015 and 2019. A recent poll found that 1 in 9 women and 1 in 17 men in the UK say they have been the victim of drink spiking, and one in three women and one in five men knew someone who had been a victim of drink spiking.

In October 2021, the press reported several incidents of drink and injection/needle spiking, the victims often being students. The Home Secretary has asked the police for an urgent update on the issues reported, including what steps they are taking to prevent the offences and to catch those responsible.

Terms of reference

The Committee invites evidence on the following points:

• The prevalence of spiking
  • How common is spiking?
  • Where and when does it happen?
  • Who is vulnerable to spiking?
  • Who commits spiking offences and why do they do it?

• How spiking should be prevented and addressed
  • How effective is partnership working between the police and others (such as local authorities, the health service, night-time industries, universities and third sector organisations) in safeguarding potential and actual victims of spiking?
  • How effective are the measures used to prevent spiking, including the advice and guidance that is used to train, educate and support those involved in handling this type of crime (such as police officers, nightclub security staff and A&E staff)?
  • What barriers do victims face in reporting spiking incidents and obtaining treatment and support?
  • Are the police doing enough to identify perpetrators and bring them to justice?
  • What role should Government play in tackling this crime?

Submissions on the terms of reference set out above should be received by 12 noon on Wednesday 19 January 2022.

Click on the start button at the bottom of the page to submit written evidence: https://committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/655/

See also

• 5 January 2022 23:59 ~ Spiking in Nightclubs and Pubs – Online Survey – Home Affairs Committee – Closing date

December 10, 2021