An Investigation Into the Effectiveness of Contemporary Legislation and Anti-spiking Practices in Protecting Women and Girls in England and Wales.

This research study is concerned with spiking, specifically focusing on female victimisation. The objective of the research is to investigate the effectiveness of contemporary legislation and anti-spiking practices in protecting women and girls from spiking in England and Wales. This research addresses the limited existing literature on spiking’s impacts on women. This is despite data published showing the repeated trend in female victimisation and increases in its occurrence. The aim of this research is to gather public perceptions of the gaps in legislation and measures to reduce spiking, and to obtain recommendations for increasing protection of women from spiking, whilst simultaneously reviewing the limited existing data on anti-spiking practices by implementing feminist theory. The approach taken to gather data was a qualitative feminist interviewing process. Findings from this were thematically analysed to produce four key areas of focus: knowledge of spiking, legislation, gendered opinions, and recommendations for change. The compelling findings from this study argue for the introduction of a specific clear and coherent anti-spiking law, to empower victims and give them the confidence to report spiking, providing for better data collection for a more accurate depiction of this societal issue. Alongside new legislation, there is a need for further education and awareness into spiking, to quash the spread of misinformation. Safety will be increased with the implementation of physical measures including CCTV, spiking inhibitors, and increased physical searches to minimise spiking instruments inside venues. In conclusion, this study provides an insight into perceptions the public have on spiking, its prevalence, and the need for further protection. The gendered lens allowed for a feminist standpoint drawing the difference between gendered attitudes and opinions towards spiking and what can be done to protect women.