If you or someone you know has been spiked its important to remember what has happened is not your fault and you're not alone. Your safety and wellbeing are the most important things right now and you can access specialist support, if and whenever you feel ready.
What to do if you think you've been spiked
What to do if you think you've been spiked
- If you start to feel strange, sick or drunk when you know that you couldn’t be drunk, get help from a trusted friend or the venue management.
- If you think you may have been spiked, ask a close friend to get you out of the venue or party as soon as possible and either take you home or to hospital (if seriously unwell). You could also ring a friend, relative or partner and ask them to come and pick you up.
- If you feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened you can ask for help by approaching venue staff and asking for ‘Angela’. This is a coded-phrase that indicates you need help and a trained member of staff will support and assist you. You can also ask for 'Angela' if you are in any situation where you feel threatened or at risk.
- Once you are safely home ask someone to stay with you until the effects of the drug have worn off - this might take several hours.
- Seek medical help by calling 999 or 111
- If you feel able and comfortable to, make a report to the police as soon as possible. Some substances used for spiking can’t be detected after 72 hours or even 12 hours, so doing this as early as possible can help the police find out what has happened.
University Support
- The Counselling Service offers confidential support to students and staff.
- The Students Union Advice Centre can offer impartial support and guidance.
- The Student Hub - They have a team of friendly staff trained to deal with a wide range of enquiries from students. They provide key information and help on many university services.
Reporting Options
- Police. In an emergency or if you are in immediate danger you should dial 999. Otherwise, you can call 101 or visit your local police station to report a crime. Reporting is a big decision and all of the support services linked to above can support you with this, if you decide to make a police report.
- Report and Support. Students and staff can report an incident using the University’s Report and Support system. You can choose to do this anonymously or you can request to speak to a member of staff who will be able to talk through the options and support available to you, in confidence.