TGS Alumni Aimee Glass Discusses 'Spike Aware UK' Campaign.
Aimee Glass left TGS last summer, excited for her next chapter at University. Unfortunately in the very first week Aimee experienced a horrific night out when she was the victim of spiking. She has bravely been a voice in raising awareness of this issue.
"I was a victim to spiking during the first freshers week at university, that night changed my whole perspective of drinking and people. Spiking is a crime where you illegally add drugs to an individuals drink or inject them without them knowing which can result in a minimum 10 year sentence or longer if additional crimes are committed. Spiking can happen to anyone whether you’re male, female, young or old. It’s key to know how to protect yourself when socialising and drinking as alcohol makes you your most vulnerable self."
Aimee's perspective was featured in a The Independent article which can be found HERE.
She recalls how she "completely lost her vision within half an hour of feeling unwell - adding that she was unable to both walk or talk."
The Independent News article, and Aimee also informed our students about Spike Aware
Spike Aware UK (SAUK) is the only registered charity and support network for victims of spiking in the UK. SAUK is made up of people who have either been victims of spiking or had their lives impacted in some way by this vicious crime.
Actively campaigning for change, they aim to raise awareness of this crime and encourage people to confidently support speaking out, and acting against it.
They are asking the Police to believe each report of a spiking incident unless proved otherwise, offer all spiking victims a urine test at the earliest possible point following a spiking attack, fully investigate all spiking incidents with regular feedback to victims, eradicate any blame culture - spiked victims should never feel at fault, ensure spiked victims get the correct medical assistance that should include blood tests, involve Family Liaison Officers as a way of bridging the gap between the police and the family and/or victim, direct spiked victims towards support organisations such as Spike Aware UK, work in partnership with organisations such as Spike Aware UK to assist in the reporting of spiking attacks.
For the NHS to ensure that 111 support staff are fully aware of the complexities surrounding spiking incidents so they can advise spiked victims, make blood tests available either at A&E or some other location in a hospital, support spiked victims to report the crime to the Police asap, eradicate any blame culture - spiked victims should never feel at fault, direct spiked victims towards support organisations such as Spike Aware UK, work in partnership with organisations such as Spike Aware UK to assist in the reporting of spiking attacks.
For Politicians & MP's to make spiking a notified and specific criminal offence, push for a change in legislation to minimize and eradicate spiking in the UK, campaign for a multi-agency approach to supporting victims spiking, lobby business owners to actively work to eradicate spiking in their establishments and at events, work to eradicate any blame culture - spiked victims should never feel at fault, support education around drink and needle spiking awareness in schools and other institutions as a preventative measure, to work with and actively support Spike Aware UK in voicing concerns within Parliament.
And for Publicans and Business Owners to act to eradicate spiking and predator behaviour within their establishments rather than just putting posters up and offering drink covers, up-skill and educate employees on spiking awareness and complexities, work to eradicate any blame culture - spiked victims should never feel at fault, provide a 'safe inclusive space' within their establishments where attacked spiking victims can recuperate while waiting further support, have drug testing kits on site, thoroughly investigate all incidents of spiking within their establishments and to be proactive in assisting the Police, direct spiked victims towards support organisations such as Spike Aware UK, work in partnership with organisations such as Spike Aware UK to assist in the reporting of spiking attacks, support and play a part in educating Taxi Drivers and Door Staff on spiking awareness and complexities.
Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones recently told Politics Hub on Sky News there were around 6,000 reports of spiking last year but it is not known how big the issue is as spiking remains an underreported crime.
Labour has revealed plans to make spiking a drink a specific criminal offence as part of the government’s clampdown on violence against women and girls.
Helena Conibear, chief executive of anti-spiking charity, Alcohol Education Trust, said: “Please remember that spiking can happen at private parties as well as at bars and clubs, so we have to be aware and look out for others too.”