From the party veterans, to those with less experience going out, it’s easy to take your safety for granted since university feels like such as safe place.
From the party veterans, to those with less experience going out, it’s easy to take your safety for granted since university feels like such a safe place.
Unfortunately, by being less cautious, it might leave you prone to getting spiked on your night out. Everyone needs to take personal ownership of their welfare, however we have also taken steps to prevent spiking in our venues during late-night events. Spikeys are now available for free at any of our bars, which functions to cover bottled drinks. There are simple habits you can get into to avoid spiking of any form to happen to you and your friends to help keep you safe. Here are our top tips:
Always cover your drink
If you order a bottled drink from the bar, make sure you always put your thumb over the top. This is especially helpful if you’re at the dance floor where the busy crowds are and people might knock into you. If you have a glass or cup, holding it with your palm over the top instead of against the side of the drink can make it harder for anyone to slip anything in.
Stick with your friends
Whether you’re going out as a dynamic duo or you’ve got your whole squad with you, make sure you look after each other. It’s better to go to the bar together than to go alone. This ensures that if anything happens, your friends can be there to make sure you get the necessary help. Remember, you can always ask any of our staff team for help if you suspect you have been spiked.
Look out for signs of tampering
If you have left your drink unattended, always check it to make sure it hasn’t been tampered with. You can check it for simple things such as:
- Strange tastes
- Cloudy appearances
- Different colour or/and odour
- Empty medicinal packets on the floor, nearby etc.
- Unusual bubbling
- Differences in position
- Addition or removal of a straw
If you are concerned that your drink has been tampered with, speak to a member of security within the venue and they will help you out.
Stop drinking it if it tastes funny!
Make sure you cease drinking if it tastes off or unusual. It’s better to immediately presume that the situation has become unsafe than to continue drinking and further endangering yourself. A night at the hospital is not worth the price of a new drink. If you or your friend do start to feel unusual, such as the loss of awareness for space and time, then connect with a friend and speak with a member of security. They will help you take the necessary steps to ensure you or your friend's safety.
Only accept drinks from people you trust
We understand that it’s hard to turn down a free drink of any form. But if you cannot keep an eye on the serving of your drink or you have any misgivings about the person offering it to you, it’s best to politely decline. If you do decide to accept the drink, ensure that you stay at the bar as the drink is being ordered and served.
Keep an eye on your drink
Although we’ve emphasised this many times, make sure you never leave your drink unattended. If you do need to, give it to a friend to guard or finish it before running off to the dancing floor or visiting the bathroom. If you have left your drink alone and you’re unsure whether it’s safe to drink, just leave it and buy a new one.
What To Do If You Suspect You've Been Spiked
If you think yourself or a friend has been spiked, dispose of the drink in question immediately. Inform a member of the bar or security team who will be able to assist you. Find somewhere safe, away from large groups of people but with a friend and potentially with support from our staff team. If it is your friend that has been spiked, make sure you don't leave them alone. Contact the Health Centre (if the incident occurs during their opening hours) or NHS Advice (111) immediately. Alternatively, the nearest A&E department is St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey - attend here straight away if you feel sleepy, vomit or have hallucinations.
If you're capable, arrange transport and travel home but only go home with someone you totally trust. If you are with people you do not know, contact a trusted friend or relative to come and take you home and look after you. If you or your friend is comfortable doing so, inform the police about the incident - they may ask for a sample of your blood or urine to test, to find out if drugs have been used. It is important you are tested as soon as possible if you think your drink was spiked as most drugs leave your body within 12 –72 hours.
The Students' Union also has some home test kits available. Please contact venues@su.rhul.ac.uk to request a kit, as above, do so as soon as possible after the incident.
If you suspect you have been spiked in one of our venues please contact venues@su.rhul.ac.uk with the details of the incident so that we can investigate what has happened and a member of our team will get in touch.
That summarizes all of our top tips to protect yourself from getting spiked. If you have any other suggestions that you feel is effective in doing so, don't hesitate to message us on our Facebook, Twitter or via email.