Spiking Drinks, Injecting And Giving A Drug
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SPIKE YOUR DRINK?
To spike your drink means that a chemical mind altering substance including alcohol has been put into your drink without your consent leaving you vulnerable to rape, sexual assault or theft.
Many mind altering substances are commonly referred to as date rape drugs and can leave an individual incapacitated.
Rape or sexual assault after your drink has been spiked is also referred to as ‘drug or alcohol facilitated rape or sexual assault’.
Spiking includes the following:
- Adding more alcohol to an alcoholic drink.
- Adding alcohol to a non alcoholic drink.
- Adding a drug to any drink.
Please be aware – most drugs used to spike your drink are colourless, odourless and tasteless therefore you will not know if your drink has been spiked.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO INJECT YOU WITH A DRUG?
Instead of spiking a drink a perpetrator can sometimes resort to injecting a drug into a person’s body using a syringe.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO GIVE YOU THE WRONG DRUG?
A perpetrator can give you the wrong dosage of a drug or a completely different drug.
WHAT IS THE SENTENCE FOR SPIKING SOMEONE’S DRINK?
The sentence for spiking someone’s drink for the intention of sexual assault or rape is up to 10 years in prison whether any sexual assault or rape took place.
WHAT ARE THE NAMES OF SOME DRUGS THAT CAN BE USED TO SPIKE A DRINK?
Some common drugs used to spike a drink are:
- Rohypnol
- GHB
- Prescription drugs such as Valium or Xanax
- Illegal drugs such as ecstasy, ketamine, LSD and GBL
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR DRINK BEING SPIKED, YOU BEING INJECTED WITH A DRUG OR GIVEN A WRONG DRUG?
If your drink has been spiked, you have been injected with a drug or given a wrong drug then you will not be able to consent to any form of sexual activity out of choice as you do not have the freedom and the capacity to make that choice.
Any sexual activity after this will be classified as rape or sexual assault.
HOW CAN A DATE RAPE DRUG OR SOMETHING SIMILAR LEAVE YOU FEELING?
- Incapacitated
- Unconscious
- Disorientated
- Acting drunk
- Confused
- Unable to say no or give your consent
- With no recollection of what has happened to you
WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOUR CHILD INFORMS YOU THEY BELIEVE THEY HAVE BEEN RAPED OR SEXUALLY ASSAULTED AFTER THEIR DRINK WAS SPIKED OR THEY WERE GIVEN OR INJECTED WITH A DRUG?
It can be very shocking to learn that your child believes they have been raped or sexually assaulted after their drink was spiked of they were given a drug or injected with a drug. In fact most probably they cannot remember what happened. It may leave you feeling upset, hurt, scared and distressed. Your world has suddenly turned upside down. You will have thousands of thoughts and questions racing around in your head. Be easy on yourself, don’t blame yourself and start thinking you could have been a better parent and start preparing yourself mentally to handle the situation with kindness, care and dignity. Follow the steps below.
Go hug your child and show them some love – Please remember prior to informing you that they have been raped or sexually assaulted after their drink was spiked of they were given a drug or injected with a drug, your child will have spent time terrified with the thought that they would have to face you. They will be traumatised themselves. Therefore, before dealing with your own reaction please give them a hug and reassure them that together they will get through this and that you are with them.
Your reaction can either calm your child down and keep the situation in hand. Your support will carry them through all the emotions, any health concerns and other issues they will face.
Let your child speak if they want to – Listen quietly and carefully to your child.
- Hold their hand if they are acceptable to it.
- Tell them they have done the right thing by informing you.
- Do not interrupt them as they speak.
- At this stage do not ask many questions. Let them get it all out.
- Try not to react. Stay calm.
- If your child sees you distressed they will close up.
Inform your child they are not at fault – Your child needs to hear you believe that they are not at fault for what has happened. This will go a long way in them feeling that they must not punish themselves for what has happened.
Inform your child you believe them and are taking what they have said seriously – It is important that your child hears the words that you believe what they are saying. This will give them confidence to open up more. The word that you are going to take what they say seriously conveys that you are going to protect them and do something to stop what is happening to them.
Inform your child what you are going to do to keep them safe – Tell your child they are now safe and nobody is going to hurt them. You will take care of them and report the perpetrator(s) to the police.
It is vital the police are called immediately and your child is taken to hospital for blood tests to establish whether a drug was given and rape or sexual assault occurred.
Most drugs leave the body within 12 – 72 hours after ingesting them.
Make sure your child does not have a shower before visiting the hospital so that evidence is not lost.
ARE THERE ANY PREVENTATIVE MEASURES THAT YOUR CHILD COULD TAKE?
These preventative measures are a general guideline. They are not a given. We are not under circumstances saying here that if someone didn’t take these measures then they are at fault. They are not. The person who committed the crime is always at fault. Please keep in mind the following when you are on a date or out socialising:
- Do not accept open drinks where the lid or top has been removed. It could contain a date rape drug. Watch the barman make the drink yourself. Take the drink from the barman yourself.
- Try and buy your own drink if you can.
- Be careful and try to be observant that no one slips a drug into your glass.
- Trust your instinct. If you feel scared or uneasy with someone, make an excuse and leave. You can’t say you are not feeling well and you have asked your friend to pick you up.
- Alcohol and drugs compromise a person’s ability to see what is happening so please do not overdrink and take any drugs. Someone could slip something into your drink when you are intoxicated.
- If you are on a date, take your mobile phone with you and make sure it’s charged. Call a friend when you turn up and when you leave to inform them that you are alright. Ask them to text you every a few times throughout the date so you can inform them if you are frightened. You can send your friend a photo of your date and any personal details you may have.
WHERE CAN YOU REPORT IF YOUR CHILD BELIEVES THEY HAVE BEEN RAPED OR SEXUALLY ASSAULTED AFTER THEIR DRINK WAS SPIKED OR THEY WERE GIVEN OR INJECTED WITH A DRUG?
You can contact the Police – You can dial 999 if a child is at risk or a crime has been committed. Alternatively if there is no emergency you can dial 101 or file a report online.
LINK TO POLICE WEBSITE TO REPORT A CRIME ONLINE
You can contact Crimestoppers – You can report a crime anonymously to crimestoppers. Their telephone number is 0800 555 111.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR CRIMESTOPPERS.
WHERE CAN YOU AS A PARENT TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
You can contact the following to talk and get support:
You can contact the NSPCC – You can contact the NSPCC and speak to them about your concerns that your child believes they have been raped or sexually assaulted after their drink was spiked or they were given a drug or injected with a drug. If the child is in danger they will call the police.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NSPCC – CONTACT US
You can contact FAMILY LIVES – Family lives was previously known as parentline. You can speak to them about your concerns that your child believes they have been raped or sexually assaulted after their drink was spiked or they were given a drug or injected with a drug.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR FAMILY LIVES – CONTACT US
You can contact SAMARITANS – The Samaritans are a free organisation that you can talk to about your concerns that your child believes they have been raped or sexually assaulted after their drink was spiked or they were given a drug or injected with a drug. Call their helpline on 116 123. They are available 24 hours a day. You can email them, chat online or write them a letter.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SAMARITANS – CONTACT US
You can contact SUPPORTLINE – Supportline can provide confidential emotional support over the phone about your concerns that your child believes they have been raped or sexually assaulted after their drink was spiked or they were given a drug or injected with a drug. Their helpline number is 01708 765 200. You can also email them.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SUPPORTLINE – CONTACT US
You can contact your local authority child services – You can call them directly or look on their website to see if there are any local support groups where you can get support.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY
You can contact VICTIM SUPPORT – Victim support is a charity that can help individuals who have been the victim of a crime. They have a free confidential support telephone line and live chat. They are independent of the police.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR VICTIM SUPPORT – CONTACT US
You can contact other organisations –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE TO CONNECT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS THAT COULD HELP YOU.
You can read our help guide for where you can reach out to get help if your child is a victim –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR WHERE CAN YOU REACH OUT TO GET HELP IF YOUR CHILD IS A VICTIM
WHERE CAN YOUR CHILD TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
Your child can contact CHILDLINE – If your child believes they been raped or sexually assaulted after their drink was spiked or they were given a drug or injected with a drug and they need to talk to someone, they can call childline.