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Original poster

DS19 needle spiked (roofied) on first night at university *edited by MNHQ

123 replies

Fraida · 07/09/2025 12:18

Just sharing as I am so upset - dropped DS at halls university yesterday as he starts his first year. He went out last night and I got a call from the police at 1am saying they found him unconscious in the street (lesson here is make sure you have your emergency contact installed in your phone as that is how they called me). Took him to A&E and urine test etc showed traces of Rohypnal in system and evidence of a needle puncture wound on shoulder.

DS called me and apparently (he was in a gay club) a man in late thirties and early forties was hitting on him and he pushed him away. The last thing he remembers is feeling like he had been punched on his arm.

Police have been great and investigating but said it’s highly unlikely that they will find the perpetrator 😡However they will review CCTV footage and speak to the club. I’m just so upset and angry for him and needed to share.

OP posts:
ForestStamp · 07/09/2025 12:23

That is terrible, I'm so sorry. Wtf goes on in some men's heads that they can do something like that and live with themselves?

Does he think he'd recognise the person if he saw them again?

Haggisfish3 · 07/09/2025 12:23

Oh
poor you and ds. Glad he had emergency contacts. And glad police are taking it seriously.

TonTonMacoute · 07/09/2025 12:24

Happened to my DS too, and he was the one who ended up in trouble!

Im so sorry OP, we forget to remind our boys that they can be vulnerable too. People say it's just kids getting too drunk, but it's a serious problem.

Crojo · 07/09/2025 12:28

No advice but sorry this happened to your son, you must have been worried sick. I have a teenage son and I would be furious.
I wouldn’t let them just brush it off as unlikely to find the perpetrator, this is a potentially dangerous person. There should be cctv footage inside and outside of the club, he may be a regular known to staff, if your DS would recognise or can describe him then it’s absolutely possible to get evidence and identify him.

clarrylove · 07/09/2025 12:30

Oh no that's dreadful. Your poor DS...and you getting that call. Never heard the term 'roofied' before though, had to look that up. What city was this btw?

ninjahamster · 07/09/2025 12:30

Oh I’m so sorry, my daughter was spiked last year and she was in such a state, it was awful. I hope your son is ok x

MySweetMaggie · 07/09/2025 12:37

I'm so sorry this happened to your son! So scary. Thank goodness you were his emergency contact in his phone.

Original poster
Fraida · 07/09/2025 12:39

ForestStamp · 07/09/2025 12:23

That is terrible, I'm so sorry. Wtf goes on in some men's heads that they can do something like that and live with themselves?

Does he think he'd recognise the person if he saw them again?

I’m not sure - his memories are very woozy due to the drug in his system. Also the club was dark which didn’t help. There is a lot of cctv through city centres now so at least being able to track him and whoever he might have left with is a possibility. The kicker is that he was also robbed so the cash he was carrying but also his cards were taken - thankfully only his library cards as his bank card was elsewhere on him.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fraida · 07/09/2025 12:41

TonTonMacoute · 07/09/2025 12:24

Happened to my DS too, and he was the one who ended up in trouble!

Im so sorry OP, we forget to remind our boys that they can be vulnerable too. People say it's just kids getting too drunk, but it's a serious problem.

That’s it - you always think of it happening to girls rather than boys. He’d only had a pint as he hadn’t been in the club very long so was not drunk but even if he was it is a hideous crime.

Im really shaken up.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fraida · 07/09/2025 12:43

ninjahamster · 07/09/2025 12:30

Oh I’m so sorry, my daughter was spiked last year and she was in such a state, it was awful. I hope your son is ok x

So sorry this happened to your daughter too - it’s so violating isn’t it?

OP posts:
Huntrix · 07/09/2025 12:47

So sorry this happened to your DS. Lucky he was found and it wasn't worse. Obviously the spiking is horrendous too but at least he's safe now. Maybe he could speak to the uni counselling services if he's struggling with it?

I was spiked twice at uni and it took me ages to leave the house after that, particularly after the second time. I felt like everyone was starting at me, and suddenly all strangers felt dangerous to me. It was not pleasant.

ladybirdsanchez · 07/09/2025 12:50

What an awful thing to happen to him (and to you!), particularly on his first night out at uni. I hope he recovers well and that the police catch the bastard that did it. God, there are some bloody awful people aren't there? A hug for you and your DS Flowers

Lemonsugarpancake · 07/09/2025 12:51

Is he being treated for possible HIV and hepatitis exposure? I hope he can access counselling at university too.

FuzzyWolf · 07/09/2025 12:52

I’m so sorry. Both you and your DS must be so shaken up by it all.

I hope those responsible are found and prosecuted.

RaininSummer · 07/09/2025 12:54

How horrible. I do also think it's quite sensible for our young people to stay together when they go out and ensure everyone gets safely home but I guess that doesn't work well if people are hoping to hook up for the evening and meet a wrong un. Hope your boy isn't too traumatised.

Original poster
Fraida · 07/09/2025 12:54

Lemonsugarpancake · 07/09/2025 12:51

Is he being treated for possible HIV and hepatitis exposure? I hope he can access counselling at university too.

Yes the hospital is on the case with that.

OP posts:
RiffRaffBananas · 07/09/2025 12:57

Which city is this, OP?

Original poster
Fraida · 07/09/2025 12:58

DS did say he frequently gets much older men trying to work their way into his bed… which is repulsive. I know it’s not all men but I find it so disgusting that thee is a sizeable proportion of men who prey on young women and men.

To actually carry a syringe and the drug implies pre-meditation which makes me feel sick.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fraida · 07/09/2025 13:00

RaininSummer · 07/09/2025 12:54

How horrible. I do also think it's quite sensible for our young people to stay together when they go out and ensure everyone gets safely home but I guess that doesn't work well if people are hoping to hook up for the evening and meet a wrong un. Hope your boy isn't too traumatised.

He said he went to toilet and got separated from the group … I work in a university and have very open conversations about safety in numbers and sticking with friends with all my kids (have three teens). But yes the hook up bit is where safety can be compromised.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fraida · 07/09/2025 13:01

RiffRaffBananas · 07/09/2025 12:57

Which city is this, OP?

If it’s ok I’d rather not say as I don’t want to accidentally out him or me 😊but I will say it’s a city in the south west

OP posts:
TonTonMacoute · 07/09/2025 13:01

Fraida · 07/09/2025 12:58

DS did say he frequently gets much older men trying to work their way into his bed… which is repulsive. I know it’s not all men but I find it so disgusting that thee is a sizeable proportion of men who prey on young women and men.

To actually carry a syringe and the drug implies pre-meditation which makes me feel sick.

A friend of mine has a son who is very cute, he works in hospitality and is also targeted by predatory men from time to time. Luckily his boss (who is ex army and not to be messed with) is totally supportive and is very good at looking out for him.

TonTonMacoute · 07/09/2025 13:03

Fraida · 07/09/2025 12:41

That’s it - you always think of it happening to girls rather than boys. He’d only had a pint as he hadn’t been in the club very long so was not drunk but even if he was it is a hideous crime.

Im really shaken up.

Show quote history

I just keep thinking how much worse it could have been.

The same freshers weekend another lad went missing and was found dead months later. No foul play, just wandered off and drowned.

FollowSpot · 07/09/2025 13:03

Bloody hell OP, I am so sorry.

I hope he can access support via the Uni or specialist support agencies.

LancashireButterPie · 07/09/2025 13:13

Oh no, poor lad. My heart goes out to him. When our son was assaulted in a homophobic attack the police were amazingly supportive. I hope he gets swift access to counselling, EMDR therapy can help to blot out trauma.

Agapornis · 07/09/2025 13:14

Normally gay clubs are very cooperative and warn their customers via Instagram. If your DS is gay, I'd strongly suggest he joins the uni's LGBT society or some other LGBT social/sports club. They're usually good at keeping an eye out and not abandoning each other on a night out.