If you think you have been spiked, it’s important to remember that what has happened is not your fault, and you're not alone. Your safety and wellbeing are the most important things right now, and you can access specialist support if and whenever you feel ready.
What to do if you think you've been spiked
- If you start to feel strange, sick or drunk when you know that you couldn’t be drunk, get help from a trusted friend or the venue management.
- If you think you may have been spiked, ask a close friend to get you out of the venue or party as soon as possible and take you home (or to a hospital if seriously unwell).
- If you have no one you trust around you, and feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened, you can approach venue staff and ask for ‘Angela’. This is a coded phrase that indicates you need help, and a trained member of staff will help you.
- Once you are safely home, ask someone to stay with you until the effects of the drug have worn off. Call for medical help if you need it - it's always better to get checked out.
- If you feel able to, make a report to the police as soon as possible.
Reporting options
Spiking can happen to anyone by anyone.
It’s your choice. It's up to you whether to report what's happened. Nobody else can or should make that choice for you.
Report to the University and get support
Students, staff and campus visitors can report an incident using the ARU’s Report and Support portal. You can choose to share anonymously, or you can share with contact details and request support from an adviser. If you choose to talk to an adviser, they will confidentially discuss your options and the support available to you.
University Policies
If you choose to make a formal complaint to the University about a student or member of staff, there are procedures which set out the steps you'll need to follow. Please note that making a report via Report and Support does not initiate a formal university complaint. You may find it useful to review our policies for further information before you do.
Contact the Police
Spiking is illegal and carries a sentence of up to ten years in prison. If a robbery, sexual assault or other crime took place, the sentence may be even longer.
To report an incident, you can call 101, report online or visit your local police station to report a crime. To report an incident anonymously to the police, you can call crime stoppers at any point on 0800 555 111 or use their online form.
Reporting is a big decision, and all of the support services can support you with this, if you decide to make a police report.
University support
There is lots of support available at ARU. We have resources and people ready to help you so please reach out to our wellbeing support teams and remember that you're not alone.
For student wellbeing support options visit our website.
For staff wellbeing support options visit The Heron.
Campus security and SafeZone app
We're committed to a secure and supportive environment for everyone. If you ever feel unsafe or need urgent help on campus, contact our Safety and Security team as soon as possible.
The SafeZone personal safety app is free to download and use, and is the quickest way to get emergency help on campus.
Visit aru.ac.uk/keepsafe
Specialist Services
- Drinkaware. More information on spiking and date rape drugs.
- Stamp Out Spiking and Spike Aware UK are two Government recommended sites around spiking advice and support available
- Sexual Assault Referral Centre if a suspected sexual assault has taken place. Sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) offer medical, practical and emotional support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused. SARCs have specially trained doctors, nurses and support workers to care for you. You can get help from a SARC by booking an appointment with your nearest one. They have Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) who are trained to look after the needs of a survivor of rape or sexual violence to ensure they receive the best possible care and understanding. ISVAs are there to provide information to ensure and you can make a decision that is right for you. Free and Confidential, the SARC can take and keep evidence for if you want to report to the police.
- Rape Crisis England and Wales. Further information is available on spiking, date rape and more.