By it’s very nature drink spiking is a crime against a person.
Taking by force their control and placing it in the hands of another. It’s the first step in the victim being abused, placed in danger and affected physically, emotionally and mentally.
Victims can feel afraid, isolated, perhaps even naive but this ‘invisible’ crime with very real consequences can sadly happen to any of us.
As such we are all at risk, all of us potential victims, and as such we should all be in this together to try and stop it happening to any one of us.
The perpetrators are also essentially committing a crime against a person with exactly the same rights and privilege as themselves – fellow human beings.
By committing this crime against another we are essentially doing so against ourselves.
We are all me’ urges us to realize that we are all the same.
It is also a warning that if you no longer ‘feel like me’, if you feel different or compromised then it’s time to tell your friends and check your drink.
The majority of victims are Women. Human beings with Exactly the same rights as Men.
Women, just the same as the Mothers, Sisters, Friends and loved ones that all Men have.
It’s about men seeing those around them as Women, not objects.
This is about potential victims standing up for their rights as Women; to be proud, heard and treated as equals.
Of course ‘Drink Spiking’ can happen to anyone and indeed a lot of Men are also victims. We of course support them and are here to help. However in our Mantra the emphasis is on stopping drink spiking. Of encouraging people to both be aware and to speak up if and when they see it happening.
In this context being a Man is about having the courage to say: Stop, No and this is wrong.
Sadly drink spiking is seen by many of the perpetrators as a game, Harmless fun or not a big deal. It is however a big deal, deeply harmful and illegal.
Not being a coward challenges Men to step-up and do the right thing – to play their part in helping change behavior and stop Drink spiking.
Sisterhood is bigger than genetics – it’s about women from all ages and walks of life coming together as a movement and looking out for each and everyone.
Many men have a Sister – someone they no doubt love and respect. A women that is their family. A woman that by nature they have an urge to protect.
Would you allow this to happen to your Sister? As a Man it’s time to be aware and also care for all Women around you.
It’s kind of obvious but in many aspects of life, not just related to ‘Drink Spiking’ we all need one and we all need to be one.
It’s about having someone to help us when we are in trouble, and about having those around us help us from getting into trouble.
Friendship needs to go deeper than buying a round of drinks, or sharing the good times. It’s not even about knowing somebody well.
We can all be friends to those we know and to strangers, as being a friend is simply about being someone that cares.
A large factor in both the act of, and subsequent result of ‘Drink Spiking’ is being and feeling alone.
Sexual assault, the end result of the crime of drink spiking generally occurs when a young Woman is by herself. So, the dangers of being alone if spiked are very real. As is sadly the subsequent feeling of being alone; victims often being faced with the prospect that no one is taking them seriously once abused.
Therefore, we need to help prevent spiking by making potential victims feel and act in ways that they are no longer alone. Either before, during or after occurrence, both socially with their peers and practically with a Drink Detective kit. It’s about being careful yourself and caring for others, being looked after and looking out for those around.
This we hope will help to stop the end phase of drink spiking’ – young victims being isolated with a perpetrator by re-enforcing the fact before spiking occurs that their potential victim is ‘Not alone’ which makes them much harder to take advantage of.
If a young person has been victimized then on an emotional level we also need to help them feel supported, cared for, and that they have the voice and support that is their right.
The Strong always tend to prey on the weak, the straggler, the one left behind. The One that is alone.
By being part of something and by being together with others our strength is multiplied. We become stronger, we become safer.
‘I am Together’ is a statement that I am here with my friends, sisters and Drink Detective. It means steer clear as the tables are now turned and this is now ‘you against us’ not ‘you against me’.
I’m together speaks to being in control, about knowing what’s happening, about being responsible and literally keeping it together.
This is a statement and a pledge. This is Young people individually and together saying: This is me your trying to harm – something that I will not allow because I am in charge of my body and I set the boundaries and the rules.
