Spiking victims face a lifetime of consequences
Sexual Health Dorset are raising awareness about drink spiking in a bid to help keep young people safe
Last updated 30th Nov 2021
The consequences of spiking are far greater than just one bad night - they could last a lifetime.
That's the warning to Weymouth College pupils from Sexual Health Dorset this week, in a bid to keep young people safe from the crime.
There's been an increase in reports of the activity recently, and Weymouth College are running a week-long campaign to raise awareness among pupils.
Kerrie Underwood from Sexual Health Dorset has been talking to pupils this week.
She told Greatest Hits Radio Dorset:
"Spiking can lead to unwanted sexual contact, which can obviously lead on to potential contraction of STIs or unwanted pregnancies.
"So if someone is in that situation it's important they access sexual health services, get tested, and potentially access emergency contraception.
"The consequences can be lifelong because some of the STIs we're talking about will be with you for life. We're also seeing people coming through with needlestick injuries which obviously mean they need to be tested for things like HIV and Hepatitis as well."
The services provides rapid testing for STIs, which is easily accessed online, treatment for any STIs and counselling following unwanted sexual contact.
There are concerns Christmas could see a rise in the number of incidents due to pupils from further afield staying overnight in Weymouth to make the most of the holidays.
Kerrie said parents and grandparents worried about young people going out in coming months can help keep them safe in a couple of ways.
She added:
"Offer to pick them up, so you know they can get home safe, make sure they have a taxi app on their phone, make sure if they're going out, they're going out with friends, they're not going out on their own, and they're going out with friends who can keep an eye on them and that they can keep an eye on."