#Spiked - Home Office face legal challenge to publish report into true scale of spiking
Our #Spiked investigation hears from campaigners demanding action from the Home Office
Campaigners are taking legal action against the Government accusing them of a lack of action when it comes to tackling an epidemic of spiking.
It comes a week after our #Spiked investigation revealed more than two in five women have been a victim - or know someone who has.
The Gemini Project, alongside the Good Law Project, says the Home Office has failed in its duty to publish a report on the scale of the issue.
READ: "I was covered in blood" - what it's really like to be spiked
Last year, Parliament said the Government must publish a report on spiking and the steps they were taking to address it. The deadline for this report passed in April.
Good Law Project have submitted legal proceedings on the grounds of "unlawful breach of statutory duty."
Co-founder of The Gemini Project, Lucy Nevitt, called spiking: “A direct violation of a person's body autonomy”
She added: “We are concerned that in not publishing this important report the Government is reneging on both their statutory duty to address the issue and their commitments to combating violence against women and girls".
READ: Ex-Police Chief calls for new law on spiking
Our #Spiked investigation heard how 43% of women have either been spiked or know someone who has.
We also heard how 9 out of 10 incidents are not reported to the Police.
The National Police Chiefs Council told a Home Affairs Committee that around 5000 spikings were reported in 2022, but the number is expected to be significantly higher.
Tamara Walters, Legal Assistant at Good Law Project, said: “It’s impossible to solve a problem when you don’t even know how big it is.
"So we are demanding that the Government publishes the report setting out the nature and prevalence of spiking, as well as the steps they are taking in response which Parliament has required it to do. ”
Government response
MFR understands the Home Office intends to publish the report as soon as possible, but it is not clear what has caused the delay.
A Home Office spokesperson said: "Spiking is a cowardly act which this government takes very seriously.
“Our priority is ensuring that victims receive the support they need and perpetrators of this crime are brought to justice.”
Anyone found guilty of committing this offence faces up to 10 years behind bars, although our investigation has found conviction rates are very low
Signposting services
If you've got questions about spiking or want to know more
Find out what the Police say about it, in terms of signs and symptoms and getting support
Check out the I've Been Spiked Instagram feed, and the Stamp Out Spiking campaign
Get advice from DrinkAware
And there's more on the Rape Crisis website if you'd like to explore it there