Cornwall mum who had drink drugged urges other victims to speak out
Hannah told us she felt ashamed and embarrassed after it happened at a bar in Newquay
Last updated 10th Nov 2021
A mum-of-three from Cornwall who had her drink drugged during a night out is urging other victims to speak out.
51-year-old Hannah Stratton has told us how she was at a quiet bar in Newquay having a drink with a few friends when the incident happened.
She won't refer to it as spiking because she believes it lessens the impact.
Hannah has heard of four similar experiences on the same night but at the time she was too afraid to go to the police.
She says she doesn't remember what happened, and she couldn't walk, but she felt ashamed and embarrassed.
"My head just went straight down on the table, all I was saying was 'I'm so embarrassed, I'm so embarrassed'.
"I just felt horrible about myself, and it wasn't until friends sat me down and really helped me process what had happened, that made me realise and get to the point of understanding that it wasn't actually my fault."
"I just felt so ashamed and so dirty and so unclean, and it sounds really silly but I wonder if other people who've been through experience might have felt the same, I've always wondered why people have said things like that but I totally get it now."
Now Hannah is urging more victims to speak out and wants more action to prevent future incidents.
"We need to look at prevention, we need to look at tackling the behaviour of the perpetrator, not the person who has been drugged, to take responsible actions."
She wants to get something positive out of the experience, and posted to Facebook asking for people's views about a march of protest through Newquay. She has since been contacted by many people who have had similar experiences.
Hannah has linked up with a local councillor and also the women's refuge about raising awareness.
The Women's Centre Cornwall is planning a march on the 3rd December in Newquay at 6.30pm, called 'Reclaim The Night'. It is aimed at helping to end male violence against women and girls.
Hannah says drink drugging can happen to both men and women and is urging people to get involved and speak out.