Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 47
Produce national anti-spiking communications campaign engaging night-time, education, and health sectors
Recommendation
As part of its national communications campaign to say “Enough” to violence against women and girls, the Government should engage with the night-time industry, the education sector, and the health sector to produce a national anti-spiking communications campaign. The awareness raising campaign should: (i) send a clear message that there is no acceptable defence for spiking, whether done for fun or malicious intent; that it can have devastating consequences for victims; and that spiking is a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison; (ii) encourage victims and venues to report incidents to the police, with the promise that all reports will be investigated; and (iii) communicate immediate and longer-term sources of support for spiking victims, including testing.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation and is working with policing stakeholders to promote key messages, while exploring options for further communications and outreach through the education and private sectors.
Paragraph Reference:
47
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government agrees with this recommendation and is working closely with policing stakeholders to promote key messages around spiking. The Enough campaign have created and disseminated guidance for hospitality staff on how to respond to an instance of violence against women and girls in their venue, including spiking. This communication encourages individuals to report incidents to the police. We will explore options for further communications, including outreach through the education and private sectors, which will enable us to more effectively communicate how individuals should act if it is suspected that they or someone around them has been spiked.