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The campaign group “Girls Night In Gsy” is encouraging Channel Islanders to complete a research study on spiking run by Cardiff University and the “Stamp Out Spiking” campaign.
The study – labelled the “largest and most comprehensive research study ever conducted on spiking” has been circulated on social media this month. Girls Night In Gsy organisers said they felt compelled to contact Stamp Out Spiking to ask if Channel Island data could be included in the survey.
“We have had previous contact with the Stamp Out Spiking group and have been following the progress of that UK initiative. When we saw that the survey was underway, we wanted to see whether islanders could take part, or whether it was for UK residents only.
“We were delighted to receive a quick and positive response from Stamp Out Spiking, who have added an “other” option under a question regarding location (Question 8 in the survey). This allows islanders to put “Guernsey” – or one of the other Channel Islands - and for our data to be counted.”
“Girls Night In Gsy was launched in November 2021, with a one-night boycott of night-time economy venues in Town in solidarity with similar boycotts across the UK. The organisers of the group – which has over 1,300 followers – have opted to remain anonymous.
“We started Girls Night InGsy in alignment with campaigns across the UK and hoped to raise awareness about sexual assault, harassment and drink spiking in the night-time economy. We wanted to be clear that this happens locally and that “enough is enough”.
“The results of the Guernsey Police Night-time Economy Survey last year showed very clearly that the public have experienced these crimes locally. Our page is always flooded with messages from members of the public who have experienced one, or more, of these issues and each story is as shocking and sad as the last. We have had messages from both men and women, and all ages and demographics."
“Although, when it comes to drink spiking, there has not been a confirmed case locally, we want night-time economy venues to acknowledge that – at the very least - the fear of drink spiking is real, and we would like to see more being done to help alleviate these fears. We would also like to see a wider understanding of the many reasons why drink spiking is an incredibly difficult offence to prove, but that this does not mean it does not happen.
“The survey takes about five minutes, and you can opt to include as much or as little information as you are comfortable sharing. It is an anonymous survey, although participants are given the option to leave a contact email address at the end of the survey if they choose.
“We identified a value in enabling islanders to take part in this survey and we were delighted that Stamp Out Spiking agreed with us and made it possible. We hope anyone who has experienced spiking – either as a victim or a witness – will take the time to complete the survey and help to build a clearer picture of this issue.”
You can complete the survey here: A Victim's Journey
If you have been the victim of drink spiking, sexual assault, harassment, or any other crime, you can contact Victim Support for help.
