Sexual Violence Centre calls for new spiking legislation

The Sexual Violence Centre in Cork is pushing for new legislation specifically addressing the issue of spiking. Dola Twomey, a representative of the centre, highlighted the strong connection between toxic masculinity and incidents of spiking, which have been on the rise. The current laws surrounding spiking are deemed unclear, prompting the centre to advocate for standalone legislation.

Last year, 58 spiking incidents were recorded by the gardai, but Ms Twomey warned that this figure only represents a small portion of the actual crimes committed, as many cases go unreported. The centre's outreach programs, including Safe Gigs at festivals, suggest that spiking is deeply ingrained in society. While concrete data on spiking remains elusive, anecdotal evidence and reports from the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) indicate that the crime is widespread and affects individuals from all walks of life, including young women, boys, and men.

Ms Twomey emphasized the severe consequences of spiking, describing it as poisoning and a precursor to sexual assault. She called for improved toxicology testing routes for victims and changes to the existing laws, which currently classify spiking as a form of poisoning. The centre has been advocating for this change for some time, urging the government to prioritize victim support and data collection.