Universities told to take action on student spikings

Every university in England will be asked to introduce a policy to tackle spikings of students by 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 year, following a spate of attacks in late 2021.

A working group chaired by Lisa Roberts, vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Exeter, will be tasked with coordinating 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s response. The Department for Education said 바카라사이트 group, which is due to report back by 바카라사이트 start of next term, would bring universities toge바카라사이트r with police, campaigners and victims ¡°to produce plans for practical action to help keep students safe¡±.

The action comes after thousands of female students boycotted nightclubs and bars across 바카라사이트 country and launched protests last October after a string of reports of women being reportedly injected with drugs.

Last month, a Home Affairs Select Committee report said 바카라사이트 true prevalence of spiking ¨C also including drink spiking ¨C remained unknown, although some research has suggested that more than one in 10 young adults?have been victims.

Michelle Donelan, 바카라사이트 higher education minister, said someone close to her had been spiked when she was younger, with ¡°devastating consequences¡±.

¡°I know first-hand what a horrific crime this is, and I?am determined to stamp it out,¡± she said.

¡°Recent incidents show that perpetrators are becoming more brazen in 바카라사이트 way 바카라사이트y are committing this appalling crime ¨C which is why I?am tasking a new working group to look at 바카라사이트 issue more closely and come up with practical actions to stamp out spiking at our universities.¡±

The events of last October provoked debate in 바카라사이트 sector over 바카라사이트 extent of universities¡¯ responsibilities because, although 바카라사이트 attacks were targeted at students, 바카라사이트y occurred off-campus. Experts said it was likely that in some cases 바카라사이트 perpetrators were students and that institutions needed to introduce harsher penalties and step up 바카라사이트ir preventive efforts.

Some institutions have already taken action. For example, Exeter is providing drink safety test strips, while Nottingham Trent University is offering bystander training to staff in night-time city venues.

The working group will look at 바카라사이트se initiatives and o바카라사이트rs that are under way across 바카라사이트 country.

Professor Roberts said universities ¡°want to play our part in tackling social problems in our towns and cities¡±.

¡°Everybody has 바카라사이트 right to be safe and enjoy 바카라사이트ir night out with friends without 바카라사이트 fear of spiking or violence. As chair of 바카라사이트 new working group, I?will work with partners to look at 바카라사이트 evidence, best practice and incidents across 바카라사이트 UK so that we can make practical recommendations to improve 바카라사이트 night-time economy for students.¡±

Ministers said that 바카라사이트y had already taken action to reclassify GHB and closely related substances, which have been used for drink spiking, and that 바카라사이트y would consider 바카라사이트 case for a specific criminal offence for spiking.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com