University to lead drink spiking research

LA Trobe University’s Schools of Rural Health will lead a new project to tackle drink spiking in Bendigo and across Victoria.

State Minister for Crime Prevention, Anthony Carbines, visited the university last week to announce $265,000 for research into the issue and a digital platform for survivors to share their stories.

Mr Carbines said the last meaningful research into drink spiking was conducted in 2004 and a new investigation is “much needed.”

“We know it’s underreported; we know we need more contemporary work done,” he said.

“It’s not a Bendigo specific issue, it’s a nationwide issue, but we’re really pleased in Bendigo that their work will be led here, they’ve seen the opportunity to pick up on some research that’s not contemporary.

“It provides a great opportunity in the next two years to pull together some great work that could help us inform decisions on the support we need to provide in the future to victims and to make people safe in the first place.”

Principal research fellow at La Trobe Rural Health School, Associate Professor Leesa Hooker, said the research follows “anecdotal reports” of drink spiking in Bendigo licensed venues, as well as needle spiking in Echuca.

She said there is a link to cases of drink spiking and sexual violence, and more work is needed to support victims.

“We know when [women] present to a hospital or emergency department they don’t get a great reception,” she said.

“There’s implications women have had just a bit too much to drink, they need to sleep it off and aren’t offered appropriate trauma and violence informed care they should be.”

Centre Against Sexual Assault Central Victoria strategy manager Lee Edmonds said many victims feel uncomfortable reporting sexual violence and cases of drink spiking, so it’s important to create a safe environment for stories to be shared.

“We know it occurs, we’ve had clients come forward saying they’ve had their drink spiked in the Greater Bendigo area,” she said.

“But they’ve taken time to come forward because it’s a complex issue. They’re wondering was it really something in my drink, did I agree to this, what did I agree to?

“It’s difficult to know the extent of it, so it’s why this research is important.”