WWYW to Advocate for National Drink Spiking and Sexual Assault Awareness Training

 Coco Fearon              |        29 July 2023               |        WWYW Articles

The efforts of the What Were You Wearing? (WWYW) team have resulted in mandatory drink spiking and preventative sexual assault training for all bar and security staff in New South Wales. This tremendous effort provides hope for social change and awareness into the prevalence and impact of drink spiking. The successful campaign, which received 20,181 signatures, was unanimously agreed upon in parliament on the 22nd of June 2023. The campaign will now focus on implementing awareness and education within Liquor and Gaming NSW’s Responsible Service of Alcohol training. This training will be compulsory for all bar and security staff. Since the success of the NSW petition, WWYW now aims for national and systemic change into drink spiking prevention and sexual assault awareness training. 

Within NSW, data highlights that drink spiking remains at its highest level in 5 years [1]. WWYW’s acknowledges more work is needed to ensure the safety and dignity of all patrons accessing nightclubs, pubs, bars, festivals etc.

WWYW continue to advocate for and enact change into issues surrounding drink spiking, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and victim blaming. This work includes the ongoing facilitation of safe spaces at venues including local pubs, clubs, universities, and festivals. These safe spaces provide resources, information, posters around the venue, drink spiking prevention kits, and utilise trauma-informed volunteers to facilitate and promote safety and wellbeing for patrons. WWYW understands the importance of early intervention and education into why drink spiking occurs, and how to prevent it. Subsequently, WWYW will continue to facilitate educational workshops for Year 11 and 12 students. Run by volunteers, these workshops explain what the symptoms and signs are, what to do if you feel as though you have been spiked, and services available to support individuals (including documenting the incident and reporting to police).

WWYW recognises the importance to continue the expansion of the drink spiking campaign as although nationally, drink spiking is recognised as a criminal offence, under reporting and a lack of prosecution remain as significant barriers. Under-reporting can be directly related to victim blaming, the dismissal of symptoms, and the fear and stigma associated with reporting incidents to the police [2]. 

Due to the overwhelmingly positive response of WWYW’s campaign, future goals  include advocating for national changes to all states and territories in relation to mandatory training for bar and security staff. Additionally, WWYW aims to hold the perpetrators of these crimes accountable in collaboration with police, venues, and ongoing social media advocacy. WWYW has and will continue to use the voices and perspectives of victims and survivors to influence current and future policies, programs, and campaigns. The momentum and support from previous petitions, and online campaigns will see WWYW endeavour to create systemic change for all of Australia. 

References

‘Drink spiking incidents in NSW’, BOSCAR (online, 22 December 2022)

<https://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/Pages/Search.aspx?k=drink%20spiking%202022>

Inge Clinnick & Leesa Hooker, ‘Paralysed and powerless”: a feminist critical discourse analysis of “Drink spiking” in Australian news media’ (2023) Feminist Media Studies 1, 23.