AIBU or are teenage girls too afraid to go out at night? Afraid because of drink spiking and being injected.

[Metropolismoon]

Dd is in her first year at Reading Uni. 7 girls have recently been injected at the students union and she has a friend at another uni who had her drink spiked.

She is now afraid to go out at night and she and her friends have kitchen parties instead.

I think it’s really sad that they are having to stay home as it’s considered too unsafe to go out at night.

[MsTSwift]

Awful. Though not sure how appealing all male nightclubs will be to men… rather shooting themselves in the foot there aren’t they?

[Sundaymorningfiveninteen]

My DD also first year Uni and has told me she and her friends will no longer go in to the local town. Four girls had their drinks spiked and one was jabbed with a hypodermic needle . But she has said she will go to the bar on campus. This doesn’t sound like an safer an option after reading your post.

[PlanDeRaccordement]

My DD19 in Scotland is still going out. She tends to go to a preparty at friends’ place, then they go to clubs as a group and do not buy any drinks. The groups she goes with are mixed sex and they all look out for each other.

She knew about drink spiking from me when she started going to shows because even a coke can be spiked when you are 13/14. My generation had to deal with it so she isn’t shocked/too afraid.

It is an awful reality that young women have to live with, hope one day it will change.

[AlexaShutUp]

This is terrible. Those poor girls should be able to go out and have the time of their lives. It's really wrong that they're staying in purely out of fear.

My dd will be at that stage in a couple of years and it fills me with dread to think of the risks that she will face.

[Hankunamatata]

Spiking drinks was commanded when I was at uni in late 90s, needles is a whole new level. You form buddies, only buy bottles that you see opened and can keep covered.

[Hankunamatata]

Command - common

[SpottedOnMN]

My daughter is in her second year at uni and isn’t going out Friday night because there’ve been so many drinks spiked.

[Dogsaresomucheasier]

Mine isn’t going clubbing, either.

[Lockheart]

Drink spiking is unfortunately all too common.

The "injection spiking" phenomenon which has exploded out of nowhere in the last fortnight is just another rehash of an urban legend as old as the hills.

There is a substantial thread in Feminism Chat with detailed posts about why spiking by injection simply isn't possible.

It is much more likely a fear campaign.

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

I am at uni (mature student) and was discussing this with some of my seminar group today - they are late teens. They are definitely scared of drink spiking, and one told me that there seems to be an increase in lads doing it just because it's funny to see girls out of it, rather than as a precursor to sexual assault.

[lissie123]

My dd is also in her second year at Uni and they have arranged a nightclub boycott tonight. So sad- she desperately wants to go out and enjoy herself after last years Covid debacle.

[Metropolismoon]

Yes, such a shame after all the staying home through A levels, no leaving ball. I thought she’d finally be going out into the world, having the full uni experience, not home in the kitchen with her flat mates because it’s the only place they feel safe.

[Mybalconyiscracking]

Mine goes out but she says that having to watch your drink the whole time does take some of the enjoyment out of things.
How the hell did we get here?

[RampantIvy]

@Lockheart

Drink spiking is unfortunately all too common.

The "injection spiking" phenomenon which has exploded out of nowhere in the last fortnight is just another rehash of an urban legend as old as the hills.

There is a substantial thread in Feminism Chat with detailed posts about why spiking by injection simply isn't possible.

It is much more likely a fear campaign.

So you think that injection spiking is a myth?

[CakesOfVersailles]

I don't think it's just spiking either. Being groped, being watchful the whole time, having to always keep an eye on your friends and travel in a group. Not much fun.

To be honest kitchen parties might be more enjoyable.

[CovidCorvid]

Dd was raped by someone on her course at a party as a first year student. That was two years ago, she hasn’t been to a party or a club since.

[AlexaShutUp]

I'm so sorry @CovidCorvid.

[RampantIvy]

That's awful@CovidCorvid

I blame easy access to online porn for this kind of behaviour.

[Unescorted]

@CovidCorvid the same happened to my DD. I hope your DD is making a good recovery.

For all those people saying that their friends look out for each other ....that happens until they don't or don't realise there is a danger of a person ingratiating themselves in the group.

[antsinyourpanta]

There was an article about girls staying in (and some boys in solidarity) at universities for fear of their drinks being dried on itv news last night.

[antsinyourpanta]

Dried = aired

[Mydogisagentleman]

My DD was injected, so it isn’t a myth.

[CovidCorvid]

Yes, sadly dd learnt the hard way that rapes aren’t always carried out by strangers in clubs…..sometimes it’s someone you think you can trust.

[Bagelsandbrie]

So sorry @CovidCorvid.

I wish people would stop saying the spikings are myths. They aren’t and saying it is doesn’t help anyone.

My dd is in her first year at Nottingham university and they are all terrified. They had to help a girl who had been injected. She was foaming at the mouth and practically unconscious and they rang 999 and were told there were no ambulances available for such a long time they took her to hospital in an Uber. It’s left her upset and traumatised. You could very clearly see where the girl had been injected.

They are now just hanging out in their hall rooms.

[LizziesTwin]

Dd & friends drink shots as you see them poured and then drink them. Safer and you know exactly how many units you are buying. No need to put it down. There are covers to put on glasses available from the Student Union.