'It isn't good enough': Spiking Inquiry reveals victim-blaming and lack of victim support

26 April 2022, 00:02 | Updated: 26 April 2022, 00:32

Inquiry finds failings in tackling spiking and supporting victims
Inquiry finds failings in tackling spiking and supporting victims. Picture: Alamy

By Megan Hinton

Bars and clubs with a bad track record on spiking should be required to improve if they are to have their licences renewed, MPs have said after an inquiry found a culture of victim-blaming during an inquiry.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Not enough is being done to support spiking victims and it will remain an "invisible crime" unless action is taken to improve awareness, according to a report by the Home Affairs Committee.

It said it is difficult to know the true scale because a culture of victim-blaming and a lack of co-ordinated support has meant many incidents are going unreported.

But creating a new criminal offence for spiking, which the Government is considering, would make victims more likely to come forward and signal to perpetrators that such behaviour will be punished.

The committee, which held an inquiry into spiking earlier this year, said places where spiking is more likely to occur, such as pubs, clubs and festivals, must be safe for all.

Local authorities and licensing authorities need to ensure that venues have adequate security and staff trained to identify spiking incidents, it said.

And venues with a bad track record on spiking and wider issues relating to violence against women should have improvement measures required as part of their licence renewal.

The MPs also said there is insufficient data on prevalence, location, method, perpetrators and their motivations, which is acting as a barrier to policing.

A public awareness campaign should emphasise the importance of reporting incidents to the police, but victims should also be able to come forward anonymously.

Read more: 'Predators down the hall': Students tell of spiking epidemic plaguing universities

Student campaigner speaks of spiking reports to LBC

Home Affairs Committee chairwoman, Dame Diana Johnson, said victims are often left with feelings of "self-doubt and vulnerability" as they have little idea what happened or who spiked them.

"It isn't good enough to tell people to put lids on their drinks or normalise taking a testing kit out with you," she said. "Everyone should have the right to go out and enjoy themselves without fear.

"The message needs to be sent to perpetrators that spiking is absolutely unacceptable and will be punished."

Safeguarding Minister Rachel Maclean said: "Spiking is a cowardly act which can ruin lives, so I welcome this report and will carefully consider every recommendation.

"The Home Secretary has confirmed the Home Office is looking at how best to prepare a specific criminal offence and has asked the National Police Chiefs' Council to urgently review the extent and scale of the issue.

"We have already reclassified GHB and introduced harsher sentences for anyone found with this spiking drug on them without cause. And are not afraid to legislate if it will help the police and courts better tackle the issue."

Read more: Elon Musk vows to 'defeat the spam bots or die trying' as he buys Twitter in $44bn deal

Drink and needle-spiking could soon become a specific criminal offence,

According to a survey run by the committee, 84% of victims said they did not receive support after the first time they were spiked, and 72% said they did not report the incident.

The questionnaire was completed by 1,895 victims and 1,413 witnesses between December 2021 and January 2022.

Most victims were female, with 139 victims identifying as male and 21 people choosing "other", and most respondents were younger than 25, although victims of all ages took part.

Nightclubs were the most common venue where spiking was reported to have taken place, followed by pubs and private parties.

UK students talk of fears over spiking epidemic

The committee said victims' access to forensic testing is poor, and the Government must place a duty on all police forces to provide quick testing of a quality that can be used as evidence in court.

The Government should commission research to aid understanding of spikers' motives, and improve the prevention of attacks.

The low number of successful prosecutions means there is no clear deterrent for spikers, so the Government should examine what barriers exist and devise strategies to overcome them.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

MP Rosie Duffield claimed she was 'single-handedly bullied' out of the Labour party by 'millionaire barrister' Sir Keir Starmer.

Former Labour MP claims she was 'bullied out of the party' by 'millionaire' Starmer amid 'anti-sleaze' row

Pope Francesco greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square.

Pope facing 'period of trial' as Pontif issues Sunday prayer from hospital

Former advisor to President Putin told LBC ‘Ukrainians will be thankful after we liberate them'.

Putin ally suggests Ukrainians should be 'thankful' nation is being 'bombed to bits'

A firefighter inspects a nightclub after a massive fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Arrest warrants issued for four people as North Macedonia nightclub fire death toll rises to 59

Newcombe Road, Coventry.

One man dead and another left with 'potentially life-changing facial injuries' following Coventry double stabbing

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Alice da Silva Aguiar was one of the three children killed.

Fundraiser for playground in memory of Southport victims Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King reaches £250,000

Foreign Office staff enjoyed the Nassau Yacht Club in Barbados, in January 2023, spending £920.

Civil servants splurge on Barbados yacht club trip with taxpayer-backed credit card

Met Police sued after reinstating 999 call handler who mock Sarah Everard and called rape victim a ‘slut’

Met Police sued after reinstating 999 call handler who 'mocked Sarah Everard' and called rape victim a ‘slut’

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

FILE - Britain's Prince Harry leaves after attending an Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral in London, Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Bombshell US court ruling orders Prince Harry's visa application files be made public by Tuesday

This image made from video by NASA shows astronauts waving after the SpaceX capsule docked with the International Space Station, Sunday, March 16, 2025. Top row from left: Nick Hague, Alexander Gorbunov, Suni Williams, Alexei Ovchinin.

Over the moon: SpaceX capsule docks with ISS as stranded NASA astronauts welcome replacement crew

F1 Grand Prix Of Australia

Lando Norris wins a wet Australian Grand Prix despite last minute charge from Max Verstappen

Disabled people to be given right to try working without risk of losing benefits in welfare reforms.

Disabled people to be given 'right to try' work without risk of losing benefits

Britain's Prince William, Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), and Kate, the Princess of Wales, Patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), pose for a photo with Leif Thobroe

Royal split: William and Kate cheer on rival sides at Wales take on England in Six Nations clash

Wes Streeting MP - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care - in Downing Street 12th March 2025 - the day before NHS England was abolished.

Scrapping NHS England is ‘beginning, not the end’ says Streeting, vowing to cut hundreds of quangos