What is spiking, how can I report it and how can I stay safe?

The following tips can help you protect yourself and others from spiking:

• Never leave your drink unattended, even for a short time.
• Be vigilant and let others know where you are if you get separated from friends.
• Don't accept a drink from someone you don't know.
• Don't drink anyone else's drink.
• If someone buys you a drink, then make sure you watch it being poured and to take it from the bar staff directly.
• If your drink tastes strange, throw it away.
• Avoid drinking too much alcohol.
• Stay with friends and look out for each other.

If you’re concerned about another student who’s experienced spiking, please let King’s know through the Student of Concern procedure and we’ll reach out to them to offer support.

We always take all reports of spiking extremely seriously.

We encourage you to report incidents to the police and to King’s, so we can fully investigate and take action.

Any King’s student or staff member who commits spiking may also be subject to misconduct investigations and disciplinary processes, with penalties up to expulsion for students or termination of employment for staff.

There’s a range of support available to help you look after your health and wellbeing after experiencing spiking. You might want to consider doing some or all of the following:

• Visit your GP (you’ll need to register with a local GP first if you haven’t already done so).
• Reach out to your Faculty Wellbeing Advisor for a supportive conversation and information about support options at King’s.
• Access the specialist mental health services available to you at King’s.
• Reach out to the Chaplaincy.

You might also want to take a look at It Happens Here, which is a student-led group in KCLSU working to promote awareness of sexual assault, violence and harassment.

If you’re concerned about another student who’s experienced spiking, please let King’s know through the Student of Concern procedure and we’ll reach out to them to offer support.

The effects of spiking vary from person to person, but there are common symptoms that you can look out for in yourself or in a friend: 

• Feeling confused or disorientated 
• Lowered inhibitions 
• Loss of balance 
• Distorted vision or hearing 
• Nausea/vomiting 
• Loss of consciousness   
• Hallucinations 
• Paranoia
• Memory loss

The effects of spiking can begin quickly, 15-30 minutes after the substance is administered and can last for several hours.

By recognising the signs quickly, we can help to look out for each other and get support.

If you feel unwell with any of the symptoms described above and think you may have been spiked, please:

• Seek help immediately from someone you trust, such as a friend or venue staff.
• If you’re on a King’s campus, contact Security for help by calling (+44) (0)207 848 2222 or by using the alert function on the SafeZone app.
• Go to a hospital with a trusted person, or in an emergency call 999 for an ambulance.

King’s is working to tackle spiking to help ensure everyone feels safe to enjoy student life in London. 

Steps we’re taking in partnership with KCLSU include:

• Working with venues, local licensing authorities and partners, such as the Metropolitan Police and Safer Sounds, a partnership that shares best practice and training to help create safe events and spaces in London.
• Security checks and bag searches are being carried out at KCLSU venues, including random spot-checks on wallets. CCTV is being closely monitored. If someone is found in possession of items likely to be used for spiking, the police are informed and KCLSU reports the incident to King’s.
• Providing free drinks covers called "spikies" in KCLSU spaces
• Operating the “Ask for Angela” scheme.
• Providing training to our support staff. Members of King’s and KCLSU staff have attended Survivor’s Trust training to help support victims. 

We’re also working to prevent and address harassment and sexual misconduct more broadly, such as through the “anti-harassment and bullying oversight group”.

This group includes student representation from KCLSU and provides a forum to discuss emerging issues and initiatives related to bullying, harassment, and sexual violence, to address the new Office for Students’ condition of registration, and to ensure we are embedding good practice in our policies, procedures and culture.

Other articles:

• Personal safety on campus & in London
• Providing a positive & inclusive environment for the King's community
• What is Consent Matters?

External resources:

• Metropolitan Police
• UK Government
• drinkaware:
  • How to avoid drink spiking
  • How to help a friend who you think has been spiked
• Talk to Frank:
  • Spiking – top tips to stay safe