Spiking law change challenge as campaigners suggest change with perpetrators
Modernising the law on spiking ‘should not mark the end of the conversation on the horrific act’, Birmingham campaigners have warned. Recent amendments to the law, which hope to bring more perpetrators to justice, means it will now be made clear spiking is illegal. Along with the changes to the criminal justice bill, the Government will also be drawing up new guidance to provide an “unequivocal” definition of the crime.
Campaigners Daz Scott and Martha Harrison have been campaigning for spiking to be made a specific offence since the surge in needle and drink incidents in 2021. Though the amendment comes as an “immense relief”, Daz has demanded ‘deeper research’ into the perpetrators themselves – along with why and how they choose to offend. Ms Scott also called for measures to “prevent spiking in the first place.”
The Birmingham women previously received funding to create a short film around spiking via injection through the city’s Commonwealth Games[2] legacy project – Gen 22 – which helps pay for social action schemes by young, local people. The project came at a time when many were left fearing nights out amid a string of concerning spiking reports. In the West Midlands, one woman told how she ‘almost died’ and was found in a critical condition, another woman ‘collapsed in A&E’ and others suffered bruises and pin prick marks[3]. “Our campaigning began when the surge of needle and drink spiking cases in August 2021 hit media attention, but we know this horrific act has been affecting people for much longer than that,” Ms Scott told BirminghamLive.
“This amendment to law is crucial validation of the harrowing experiences faced by survivors. While we welcome these strides, we are cautious in our optimism. “We’ve read the policy paper and have identified significant uncertainty around the subsequent actions and implications of the government’s statements.
We’re all familiar with governmental lip service, which is why we are calling for explicit commitments to prevent spiking in the first place.”
Amy Taylor discovered a bruise on her arm after the alleged incident (Image: The Birmingham Tab)
Deeper research and analysis into the criminals behind spiking is now needed, she added. “By understanding the who, why, and how of these acts, we believe the police can better prosecute offenders,” she said. “Importantly, such research empowers law enforcement to provide enhanced support for victims, reducing the trauma associated with reporting and prosecuting spiking incidents. This should not mark the end of the conversation.
“This acknowledgment of the severity of spiking must translate into tangible, everyday practices. The government’s belief that needle spiking cases have decreased should not lead to complacency. There is ongoing need for advocacy, sustained research, and preventative measures to ensure that spiking is eradicated from our society.”
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References
- ^ Pedestrian seriously hurt in crash with motorbike outside Tesco superstore (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Commonwealth Games (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ woman ‘collapsed in A&E’ and others suffered bruises and pin prick marks (www.birminghammail.co.uk)