Statistics
- 97% of spiking cases are not reported to the police.
- Most drugs leave the body within 72 hours of being taken – the date rape drug GHB leaves the body within 12 hours.
- Most date rapes take effect within 30 minutes.
Myths
"Only alcoholic drinks are spiked" - Although the majority of drink spiking happens to alcoholic drinks, this doesn’t mean soft drinks can’t be spiked either. Soft drinks, energy drinks, hot drinks and even water can be spiked.
"Spiking on its own is not a crime" – Although spiking can be linked to other offences such as sexual assault of theft, the actual act of spiking is always an offence event if nothing else happens, or an attempt at theft or assault fails.
"Spiking victims have just had too much to drink" – it can sometimes be hard to tell if someone was spiked or had too much to drink. In any case, it’s important to make sure that the person is safe or provide them with medical assistance if needed. The amount of alcohol someone has had is irrelevant, and spiking can happen regardless of whether the victim has willingly had a few drinks or took drugs. The victim is never to blame.
"Spiking is only done by strangers" - Spiking is often done by stranger or someone you’ve met on a night out but in certain situations people who commit spiking offences know their victims (e.g. relatives, friends or work colleagues)
"Spiking on its own is not a crime" - The act of spiking is illegal and carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. If robbery, sexual assault or other crimes took place, the sentence may be even longer.
"Needle spiking isn’t real" – Needle spiking IS race. It’s almost impossible to inject drugs into someone without them noticing it. However, this does not mean that needle spiking does not take place
"You can’t tell if a drink has been spiked"– If someone has spiked your drink, it’s unlikely you will be able to smell, taste or see any difference, however some drugs do alter the taste or smell.
"Spiking only happens to women and girls" – Spiking can happen to anyone, anywhere – no matter their age, sexuality, or ethnicity. Although the majority of reported spiking incidents, the victims were women and girls, men do get spiked too.