The University of Victoria has released a safety message on their website after multiple students reported having their drinks spiked over the weekend.
They are said to have received numerous concerns from students attending off-campus events regarding drinks that have been tampered with or spiked, and the university is offering support to anyone directly impacted.
Included in their media release is a list of steps from Good Night Out, an organization dedicated to creating safer nightlife environments for everyone.
These steps aim to protect each individual, as well as how we can look out for each other—such as pouring your own drinks, never leaving drinks unattended and reporting suspicious behavior.
If anyone notices suspicious activity around drinks, either on or off-campus, contact the police and then Campus Security. Dial 911 if it is an emergency situation.
According to Canadian legal association, AGP LLP, nearly half of the sexual assault cases in Canada are drug-facilitated, and Good Night Out stated that it most commonly impacts women and members of marginalized communities.
Drug/substance-facilitated sexual assault involves any substance that alters a person’s level of consciousness and/or physical ability to resist or fight back, meaning there has been no consent.
If you have witnessed or experienced sexualized violence at UVic, the university encourages you to seek out supportive resources such as The Sexualized Violence Resource Office, Student Wellness, Campus Security, and UVSS Anti-Violence Project.
You are not alone.
