What were you wearing? Organization calls for mandatory drink spiking training after a case goes undetermined

A Newcastle non-for-profit has launched a petition calling for the NSW government to implement mandatory trauma-informed training on drink spiking and sexual violence to security and staff members of bars and nightclubs to ensure that the signs and symptoms of drink spiking are not overlooked.

What Were You Wearing? (WWYW) is an advocacy group that supports the victims of sexual violence and fights for their rights. They will be collaborating with venues and nightclubs with the support of Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp.

WWYW founder Sarah Williams started this petition after one of her team members was spiked in a bar venue by 5 men.

“The security wouldn’t make a report of the incident. It made me angry. It is their duty to ensure the safety of that victim”.

“The police started an investigation. We took her to the hospital but the police no longer wanted to take the case further so the investigation was dropped”, she said.

According to the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC), “One-third of drink spiking incidents result in sexual assault, with less than one-third of such cases being reported to the police”.

Sarah said, “Statistics in 2022 show that in the last 5 years, the cases of drink spiking have been the highest.

“Since the petition started, 500 people who never reported their cases came to us”.

According to a discussion paper published in 2006, there is a potential gap in Section 38A Crimes Act 1900 indicating that this offence may not cover drink spiking with alcohol.

Sarah mentions the reason the cases go unreported is due to the failure of security members on the venue to take reports, and it becomes difficult to find evidence as the tests come back negative for any indications in the drink due to the content of alcohol.

“The training will include teaching the staff about drink spiking, how to know what to look out for, and how to approach the victim after the incident”, she said.

WWYW needs 20,000 signatures by 25 May to make it to the table for discussion with the Legislative Assembly and is calling on the community to support them by signing the petition.