A new survey by Stamp Out Spiking, carried out in partnership with Cardiff University, has uncovered alarming evidence about the scale and nature of spiking in the UK.
The research highlights the experiences of victims and reveals that young people are overwhelmingly targeted, most often in licensed venues.
The data project, entitled ‘A Victim’s Journey’, has covered every step of the journey from the drugs that are used, where and when spiking occurred, symptoms of being spiked, the immediate response and the impact that this then has on mental and physical health after the event.
Announced today, at a first-of-its-kind Roundtable event at the Houses of Parliament, gathered responses from over 1,500 people found that:
Dawn Dines, CEO & Founder, Stamp Out Spiking: “These findings highlight a serious public safety issue.
“We’ve been campaigning for more than two decades to show that Spiking is not about risky drinking, it’s about perpetrators targeting vulnerable individuals in licensed premises.
“Now we have the data to show that it’s fact, and more must be done to protect the public.
“The fact that so many victims do not come forward means this crime remains largely invisible, while predators go unpunished.”
Simon Moore, Professor of Public Health Research, Co-Director of the Security, Crime and Intelligence Innovation Institute and Director of Violence Research Group, Cardiff University commented: “Sadly, the blame for spiking is often and wrongly placed on the shoulders of the survivors.
“The narrative painted, places the burden of this crime on those who are blamed for going out to bars or clubs or drinking excessively.
“None of those things should make survivors responsible for being the victim of a crime.
“It doesn’t accurately reflect the reality of why these crimes happen or how they happen and distract from the considerable harm many victims endure.”
The survey also reportedly revealed that the survivors’ drinking patterns were consistent with the general population, dispelling common myths that victims are drunk at the time of spiking.
“This reinforces that spiking can happen to anyone at any time,” added Dawn.
Stamp Out Spiking is the UK’s largest anti-spiking charity, campaigning across the country and internationally, to raise awareness of spiking in all its forms and support victims.
They are spearheading national campaigns such as ‘Keep An Eye Out’, most recently at Reading Festival and Leeds Festival 2025, to encourage the public to watch out for each other and their drinks in licensed premises.
With UK legislation set to make spiking a specific offence, thanks to tireless campaigning from Stamp Out Spiking, the charity is calling for licensed premises to strengthen measures to protect patrons, including mandatory staff training and education, stringent CCTV monitoring and banning known offenders from nightlife venues.
Moore said: “Our report found that in survivors who were a victim of drink spiking, only 14% accepted a drink from a stranger and 48% did not leave their drink unattended.
This data shows that even when survivors have taken precautions, spiking has still occurred.
“This is why working with the owners of bars and clubs, law-enforcement and policymakers, will be the vital tool that will prevent spiking from happening.”
The survey reportedly underscores the urgent need for statutory services, licensed venues and communities to work together to support survivors, record assaults accurately and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
As Stamp Out Spiking brought together industry figureheads today, from Hospitality to Police, Transport and Leisure, the charity looks forward to working collaboratively to stamp out spiking for good.
Stamp Out Spiking are currently fundraising to open a national SOS helpline for those affected by spiking, offering support, guidance and signposting information.
The helpline will be the first of its kind in the UK, offering clear advice, guidance and referral pathways for survivors. You can support the charity here.
Joe Robertson MP, Conservative Member of Parliament for Isle of Wight East, commented: “Spiking is a serious issue which is on the rise.
“The Government has failed to address a glaring loophole in their own new law – one that means reckless spiking is not covered.
“That is why I am working with fellow MPs and Lords to ensure that the Government closes the loophole in their own new spiking law.
“It should not be relevant whether a perpetrator intended harm to someone else. If they administered a harmful substance through their own reckless behaviour, then they should be criminally responsible and face the consequences.
“As the forthcoming law is currently worded, a perpetrator can claim in defence they didn’t mean it and walk free.
“This defence isn’t available to reckless drivers and neither should it be responsible to reckless spikers.”
Dawn finalised: “We know historically that victims of this life-changing crime have been let down and by conducting a study on this scale and hosting today’s event with the correct key stakeholders, we hope to bring these victims some justice.”
