As a woman, an MP, and a mother with two girls, I have been horrified to see the rapid rise in reports of women being spiked in nightclubs in recent months, although this has clearly been an issue for many years. I am also deeply concerned by the reports of women being drugged via needles in nightclubs and elsewhere.
As I said on BBC South East and BBC Sussex last week, two years ago someone spiked my drink in Haywards Heath whilst I was speaking to a friend - fortunately I spotted the tablet and managed to get it out of my glass. However, even before this, at another bar, I was a victim of a spiking, although the only damage was a loss of memory and coordination during the evening, before a friend helped me home. However, it goes without saying there are countless girls and women who are not so lucky.
Since my interviews last week, I’ve been astounded by just how many people from across the county have shared their experiences with me, and I have spoken to both PCC Katy Bourne and the Safeguarding Minister at the Home Office about the action being taken.
I’ve also written to the Home Secretary about the possibility of introducing additional restrictions on the sale of needles and paraphernalia, to restrict the ability of these would-be criminals from targeting innocent women and girls. I am encouraged that she has already requested an urgent update from police on investigations into reports of women who may have been spiked. It is therefore vital that this behaviour is reported to the police. My letter to the Home Secretary can be read in the link below.
More broadly, I welcome the publication of the tackling violence against women and girls strategy to ensure women and girls are safe everywhere. The strategy will increase support for victims and survivors, increase the number of perpetrators brought to justice and to reduce the prevalence of violence against women and girls in the long-term.
A number of measures in the strategy are focused on practical action to increase physical safety in public places. This includes a £5 Million ‘Safety of Women at Night’ Fund, in addition to the Safer Streets Fund, that focuses on the prevention of violence against women and girls in public spaces at night, including in the night-time economy.
I believe we must act to help women and girls feel safer when they’re out enjoying themselves, and I know my colleagues in Government absolutely share this view.