This week, Judith Cummins, the Labour MP for Bradford South and Deputy Speaker of House of Commons chaired a bill that will modernise the law around spiking, bringing in a new, specific criminal offence.
Supporters say that the measures on spiking in the Crime and Policing Bill will give survivors the confidence to come forward, make it easier for police to respond more quickly, and ensure that survivors get the support they need - and the justice they deserve.
Spiking can include, but is not limited to, putting alcohol into someone’s drink without their knowledge or permission, or administering prescription or illegal drugs without an individual’s permission.
While a 2022 Yougov poll found that 10% of women and 5% of men said that they had been spiked, spiking is chronically under-reported, with one study by Drinkaware and Anglia Ruskin University finding that 90% of people who have been spiked never come forward to report it to police.
Currently, spiking can be prosecuted under seven separate criminal offences, some – some dating as far back as the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. The Crime and Policing Bill modernises the language, increases the maximum penalty and updates how courts deal with spiking offences.
The aim, according to the Ministry of Justice is to ‘give victims the confidence to come forward and report incidents’, ‘improve police record leading to more accurate data’, and ‘tackle the key barriers to prosecution – gathering evidence and identifying perpetrators’.
The new legislation, introduced by the new Labour Government, is a victory for spiking campaigners. Judith has long campaigned to introduce a standalone offence for spiking. In December 2023, Judith led a cross-party debate that called for the then-Conservative Government to ‘take a stand against this injustice’ and make the ‘the law on spiking fit 21st Century’ with a standalone offence.Speaking on the Bill, the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:
“Too many women and girls are still facing stalking, spiking, violence and abuse. This Government will be tough on crime, and tough on the causes of crime – something that hasn’t happened for far too long.”
Speaking after Chairing, Judith said:“Spiking is a heinous crime, which affects so many people, often young women, all across the country. We must do everything we can to stop this crime and to ensure that the victims of spiking get the justice that they deserve.”
Judith Cummins met with Drinkaware and Representatives from Anglia Ruskin University last month to discuss their recent report on Spiking (Image credit: Judith Cummins)
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