With Halloween and festive celebrations approaching, charities and organisations are working to encourage better safeguarding for women and vulnerable people on nights out. 

Harassment and drink spiking incidents in Sheffield have been a concern for many women during the celebratory period, with The Tab student survey estimating 10% of young adults to have been spiked.

The increased awareness raised by organisations such as Spike Aware UK has offered security to many women and partygoers.

Colin Mackie, 62, founder of Spike Aware UK, from Biggar, South Lanarkshire said: “The biggest goal for ourselves is to raise awareness of the dangers of spiking and to make it a stand alone offence.”

Spike Aware was founded by Mr Mackie and his wife Mandy Mackie following the loss of their son, Greg, after his drink was spiked. 

He said: “I don’t want any other parents to be sitting here like me having lost a son or daughter because of spiking, so that was the driving force.”

The charity has raised awareness about different motives for spiking, including gaining access to someone’s banking apps whilst they are disoriented.

“Now’s the time to start prosecuting people because that’s the only way it’s really going to stop,” said Mr Mackie.

“It doesn’t just affect the victim, it affects friends of the victim, their parents and families.”

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Ella Ward, 20, a student from Crookesmoor, was spiked in a club and lost control of her limbs and train of thought.

Miss Ward said: “I felt like my safety had been compromised and I was panicked that something like this had the possibility of happening again.

“I struggled with blaming myself for the occurrence as I still feel like I could have stopped it happening which I know isn’t the case.”

She found it difficult to comprehend how she ended up in that situation and how no one in the perimeter sought to look after her or prevent it. 

She said: “I feel that people, especially women, should be able to go anywhere on a night out without the fear of being spiked or hurt. But that simply isn’t the case.” 

Alex O’Brien, 40, Director of Social Enterprise at The University Of Sheffield’s Student Union, from Hull said: “Student safety is integral to the role, we are proud of our safety record and the various initiatives we have put in place.”

Mr O’Brien oversees venues in Broomhall where safety measures for people on nights out include free transport, a drink spiking action plan and a zero tolerance policy to harassment.

He is looking at ways to roll out something similar in Sheffield.

“A positive change in society would be for people to call out inappropriate behaviour when they see it, especially if it involves a friend,” said Mr O’Brien.

“Nobody should be a victim of harassment or crime when they go out, additional considerations should be given to women and people with protected characteristics.”

For information about spiking awareness and seeking support visit the website: https://www.spikeawareuk.org/

To support the Spike Aware charity follow @AwareSpike on X and Spike Aware on Facebook.