LA Trobe University\u2019s Schools of Rural Health will lead a new project to tackle drink spiking in Bendigo and across Victoria.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Mr Carbines said the last meaningful research into drink spiking was conducted in 2004 and a new investigation is \u201cmuch needed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know it\u2019s underreported; we know we need more contemporary work done,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not a Bendigo specific issue, it\u2019s a nationwide issue, but we\u2019re really pleased in Bendigo that their work will be led here, they\u2019ve seen the opportunity to pick up on some research that\u2019s not contemporary.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Principal research fellow at La Trobe Rural Health School, Associate Professor Leesa Hooker, said the research follows \u201canecdotal reports\u201d of drink spiking in Bendigo licensed venues, as well as needle spiking in Echuca.<\/p>\n
She said there is a link to cases of drink spiking and sexual violence, and more work is needed to support victims.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know when [women] present to a hospital or emergency department they don\u2019t get a great reception,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s implications women have had just a bit too much to drink, they need to sleep it off and aren\u2019t offered appropriate trauma and violence informed care they should be.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s important to create a safe environment for stories to be shared.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know it occurs, we\u2019ve had clients come forward saying they\u2019ve had their drink spiked in the Greater Bendigo area,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut they\u2019ve taken time to come forward because it\u2019s a complex issue. They’re wondering was it really something in my drink, did I agree to this, what did I agree to?<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s difficult to know the extent of it, so it\u2019s why this research is important.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LA Trobe University\u2019s 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 […]<\/p>\n