A Surge in Spiking
Camille Glatt
As the world eases into reopening and we come to terms with the “new normal,” people yearn to return to life before COVID. Therefore it is only natural that clubs and bars reclaim their role in the social schedules of young people. However, as COVID restrictions diminish and more people venture out, crimes directed towards women are on the rise, with the term “spiking” increasing in internet searches by 800%. The increased spiking through both pills and injections is becoming more prevalent in many countries, most notably the United Kingdom.
Rather than enjoying clubs and bars to their full extent, women are forced to remain vigilant, acutely aware of their surroundings, and prepared for the worst-case scenario of being spiked. The rise in spiking has led to feelings of fear amongst many women, preventing them from going out and enjoying the post-lockdown freedoms. Aside from the effects of the administered drugs that can cause hospitalization, needles pose an even greater threat. Injections are discreet; as many women look for telltale signs in their drinks (fizz, change in color, or smell), assailants can inject them without them realizing. Women need not only watch their drinks, but also their bodies as both become targets for unwanted drugs.
On October 23rd, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) reported that they had collected 198 reports of drink spiking in September and October. In addition, they received 56 reports of incidents involving a needle. John Mooney of the NHS contends that needles also can carry many viruses and diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis that would continue to affect the victims beyond the injected drug’s intended effect, but “it is extremely rare.” Dr. Sameer Sanghvi explains that the most common drugs utilized in spiking are GHB which can “reduce your inhibitions and also cause sleepiness” and Rohypnol which “is a sedative drug that is often used to treat insomnia and anxiety.”
As the problem worsens, it becomes clear that the U.K. police and government have put limited measures in place to prevent such situations from recurring. In fact, many of the accused men are released almost immediately on bail. Many incidents of spiking are not reported as women fear victim-blaming. With little hope that their attacker will be caught and charged, many women would rather remain silent and deal with the repercussions without police intervention.
Spiking is not a new phenomenon. Its emergence in the bar and club scene forced people to become creative with new products to test drinks for signs of tampering. Though uplifting, it is unrealistic that all women presently have access to these tools, thus rendering them non-viable. There also is no trustworthy and reliable prevention to combat injections.
Older generations of women also experienced spiking, often sharing and reminding younger generations to remain on the lookout. Girls and women are told to guard their drink and toss it if they don’t know where it has been—a mantra that is saddening and reflective of a society that does not uplift women. Social media has enabled women to remain in contact, support one another, and demand change in light of these events. It, however, is not enough. Spiking continues, and while victims remain ever vigilant and careful, attackers have also become more inventive.
The U.K. and other countries need to address the misogyny that permeates society—the root cause of spiking. The U.K. ultimately needs to create a culture that no longer places women in a position of weakness. Women must be supported, and the behavior of predators cannot be tolerated. Women should not be afraid to go out and enjoy themselves. Ultimately, the onus falls upon the U.K. government to enact social and legal changes to protect our communities.
Sources:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/nhs-expert-responds-reports-people-25319560