Spiking by injection: women share fears of ‘terrifying’ nightclub reports - and their anger at ‘victim blaming’ response

Police are responding to these reports and campaigners are in the process of organising boycotts of nightclubs amid calls for tighter safety measures against spiking.

But how are women feeling in response to these reports?

NationalWorld spoke to four women who are fearful of their safety in response to the spiking reports, and who are now wary of going out at night.

‘I am more wary about going out now’

Hannah, 21, from Leicestershire, said she’s “angry” that women are targeted when they go out and that precautions are not being implemented to keep them safe.

She said: “I am more wary about going out now, the amount of things to worry about when you’re meant to be having fun isn’t worth the stress. It angers me that so many women are being targeted, yet no precautions are being put in place.”

Jodi Deas, 18, from Dundee, said: “Me and my female friends no longer feel safe going out at night, and the way many clubs around Dundee have been treating the spikings is ridiculous.”

Police Scotland have this week responded to the reports of spiking incidents, particularly involving injection.

A spokesperson said: "We are aware of posts circulating on social media about spiking incidents involving injections in Scotland.

"Officers are carrying out enquiries, and a small number of reports from the Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow areas are being investigated.

"These do not appear to be linked.

"We take all reports seriously and we would encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of spiking in any form to contact Police via 101.”

‘All the responses to this have been completely victim blaming’

Georgia Easby, 22, from Durham, said: “I haven’t been victim to it myself but it really terrifies me and other women, the health implications of reusing needles, needles not being sterile, the violence of the event and not knowing what you’ve been injected with must be an awful experience.”

She also said that the response to the spiking reports puts an onus on women to keep safe, rather than putting the blame on the perpetrators.

“All the responses to this have been completely victim blaming, with women being told by police and businesses across the country to take care of themselves, and the ‘girls night in’ plan results in the victims staying home rather than the perpetrators simply not being violent,” Georgia added.

Georgia said: “I’m glad that general, decent members of the public, including men, are taking this so seriously but not enough is being done on a higher scale to protect the health and safety of women in public and private spaces.”

She added that “security, metal detectors, more thorough bag and pocket checks into venues, is just the beginning,” as perpetrators “need to be aware that there are consequences to their actions”.

Seirian Evans, 20, from Swansea, further highlights this, as she said “the onus is always on women to protect ourselves and prevent it from happening, that ultimately we’re to blame if these things happen to us”.

She added: “The focus should be teaching people that this shouldn’t be happening, not how to avoid it happening to you. It’s victim blaming 101. It doesn’t matter how drunk you are or how little clothing you wear, you still deserve to be safe and respected. It’s not the victims fault, ever.”