The dark side to your CHRISTMAS NIGHT OUT

Do you know what’s in your glass this party season?

It’s that time of year when socialising is in full swing. You’re probably looking forward to some nights out, enjoying a chance to catch up with friends over a festive cocktail or two. If you’re single, you might even hope to bag yourself a romantic date over Christmas. But for some people a carefree night out could result in them suffering more than a hangover. An increasing number of people are reporting that their drinks have been spiked and that they’ve been sexually assaulted. Nearly 1 million people in the UK said they’d had their drinks laced last year, and three-quarters (74%) of them were women.

‘Spiking’ can take different forms, whether it be adding extra alcohol or drugs into drinks, or drug-laced vapes being passed around. Some victims have even reported being ‘needle spiked’ – injected with drugs without consent in busy bars and clubs. With authorities warning partygoers to stay vigilant this Christmas, Woman investigates…

‘HE SPIKED MY DRINK AND RAPED ME’

Zoe Rosi, 38, lives in London. Raising my voice over the blaring music, I ordered a large glass of merlot, then turned to smile at the man beside me at the bar. I’d been chatting online to Paul* for weeks, after matching on a dating site. All through December 2017, I’d been out loads during the party season, catching up with work colleagues and friends. Now, I’d found a free night for drinks with Paul at a pub in Woolwich, south London – our first date.