Category Archives: Drugs Alcohol

19 January 2022 12:00 ~ Spiking in Nightclubs, Pubs, Festivals & Parties – Call for Evidence – Home Affairs Committee – Closing date

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

 

December 10, 2021

More than 80% of women want safer pubs, bars and restaurants – YouGov survey

A YouGov survey has found that over three-quarters of UK adults think improved safety procedures in bars, pubs and nightclubs is necessary, following recent publicity around the safety of women and girls. 

The YouGov survey of adults, who would visit at least one licensed premises in a six-month period, was carried out between 16 August – 5 September. The survey was commissioned by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI), a police-owned organisation, which works alongside the Police Service to deter and reduce crime.

With safety defined as ‘where efforts have been made to prevent crime, reduce harm and where staff will support you if you are feeling vulnerable’, 5,050 adults in England aged 18-45, were asked whether they agreed with the statement that ‘recent publicity around the safety of women and girls has made it more important for licensed premises to improve their safety procedures’.

Across all licensed premises, the support for improved safety in venues is greatest amongst women. In nightclubs, 83% of women want improved safety compared to 75% of men. In bars and clubs the percentage point difference is greater, with 81% of women wanting safety improvements compared to 70% of men. In restaurants, 64% of women want safety improvements – 14% ahead of men.

The YouGov research also found that a police safety award may benefit all the different types of licensed premises to some extent, with 25% of adults reporting being more likely to visit bars and pubs that had received the award. The figures for nightclubs (24%) and stadiums and arenas (19%) are also noteworthy given the award is still in its early stages.

Part of a longer article at https://www.ifsecglobal.com/uk/more-than-80-of-women-want-safer-pubs-bars-and-restaurants-says-yougov-survey/

See also: https://licensingsavi.com/news/45-three-out-of-four-adults-particularly-women-want-improved-safety-in-bars-pubs-and-nightclubs-says-yougov-survey

October 11, 2021

Some 79 per cent of woman say they expect some form of harassment on a night out

Almost three-quarters of young people have witnessed sexual harassment on a night out, according to a new survey.

The YouGov poll of 2,013 adults aged between 18 and 24 who drink in bars, clubs or pubs also found nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of women and more than a quarter (26 per cent) of men said they had been on the receiving end themselves.

A total of 72 per cent claimed to have seen some form of sexual harassment, including “someone being on the receiving end of inappropriate sexual comments or abuse”, “someone being on the receiving end of inappropriate sexual touching” or “someone receiving other inappropriate or unwanted physical attention or touching”.

Some 79 per cent of women said they expected inappropriate comments, touching and behaviour on a night out toward them or their friends.

The findings, from a survey commissioned by Drinkaware, were published as the charity campaigns to end drunken sexual harassment.

The charity is calling for bystanders to step in, if safe, to support anyone being targeted.

Part of a longer news story at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/sexual-harassment-poll-yougov-young-people-night-out-a7972991.html

October 9, 2017