The first phase of a campaign to fight against drug-assisted sexual assault launched in Nanaimo Thursday.
Vancouver Island University Student’s Union, Crime Stoppers, the Rotary Club of Lantzville have teamed up with Nanaimo RCMP to make people aware they can take a stand against drug-assisted sexual assault from drinks being spiked.
The campaign kicked off at Nanaimo RCMP detachment and was followed up in the afternoon with posters and table top tents, bearing information about the dangers of spiked drinks and where victims or witness of the crime can call, being distributed in drinking establishments downtown and at Vancouver Island University.
“The objective of this campaign is the prevention, education and reporting of incidents where drinks are being spiked in Nanaimo,” said Const. Gary O’Brien. “The overwhelming majority are never reported to police. Less than five per cent make it to our desk. Why that is is because the memories are gone. These people are often out for the evening and all of a sudden they have an overwhelming incapacitation, probably from a drug. They wake up in an unfamiliar place and unfortunately many are sexually assaulted.”
O’Brien said spiked drink incidents are on the rise in Nanaimo.
The majority of victims are women aged 17-35. They report feeling a sudden overwhelming sense of incapacitation and nausea. They become separated from their friends when they go outside to get some fresh air.
Drug-assisted sexual assaults are not limited to drinking establishments, nor are they confined to students or young people.
Even though memories might be scrambled by the drugs, traces of certain drugs linger in the body for several days, which can be used as clues or evidence in police investigations.
“The victim should not be discouraged by thinking they cannot assist police,” O’Brien said.
The Rotary Club of Lantzville funded printing the materials, which were designed by Elephant Room Creative.
“There’s a lot incidents lately downtown with drink spiking,” said Shayd Johnson, Elephant Room Creative photographer. “Actually a few of our friends have had issues with it downtown, so it struck up a little place in our hearts to be involved with this and anything that we can do to put a stop to this, get out word to the attackers that this needs to stop in Nanaimo and tell the community this is a really big issue and it’s underreported.”
Jerry Hong, owner of the Queens Hotel and Occidental Hotel, said people can help protect themselves by watching what drinks they accept and who they’re accepting them from. It’s a good idea to maintain awareness of who is around you and also to never lose sight of your drink even if that means going to the bar to personally see your drink poured.
“The first step to change is education and awareness,” said Katya MacDonald, VIU Students’ Union Women’s Representative. “The next step is to make sure that these cases get reported and that’s what we’re hoping to do.”
