There are many signs that somebody has been spiked, and many things that organisations can do to be spike-aware, and reduce the chances of spiking occurring.

There are many reasons why people spike people. Sometimes, it may be a friend thinking they are doing you a favour by adding extra alcohol to your drink. It may be someone pranking you – not funny if you have to drive later for example. It may be someone who wants to have sex with you – possibly because they hope you are less likely to say no when you’re drunk, or maybe they want you so intoxicated that you can’t even say no. It might be that they want to incapacitate you in order to rob, sexually assault or rape, or it may be one of many other reasons.

Because of the wide range of substances used to spike, there are a huge range of symptoms. This is one of the main points we aim to convey to staff undertaking our training courses, so they are able to identify the difference between a spiking victim and a drunk person, and take on the appropriate course of action.

We also train and educate on many misconceptions around spiking in venues, including:

• spiking is only done to women (although approximately 30% of victims are male)
• spiking is only done by men
• spiking is only done to alcoholic drinks
• spiking only happens at night in bars and clubs

These are all wrong, spiking could happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time.

This Charter unites organisations in developing a whole-city approach to reducing violence against women and girls and keeping them safe at night in Exeter.

The following Exeter specific factors illustrate why this Charter is important:

• Recent criminal convictions for murder and serious assaults against women in the city
• The increase in women reporting rape and sexual assault during and post-lockdown
• Growing concerns of drink spiking and assaults using needles
• Predominance of city centre anti-social behaviour in the evening
• Increase in numbers of homeless women in the city
• Women at risk from County Lines gangs
• Women have told us why they feel unsafe in Exeter through the SWaN survey

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the statutory organization responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK. It was established in 2003 as a non-departmental public body and reports to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA’s primary objective is to contribute to public protection by setting and improving standards in the regulated private security industry.

The SIA is responsible for issuing licenses to individuals who work in the private security industry, such as door supervisors, security guards, and CCTV operators. The SIA also approves companies that provide security services and ensures that they meet the required standards.

To apply for an SIA license, you must first complete the relevant training and pass a criminal records check. The SIA also provides guidance on how to become an SIA approved contractor.

If you have any concerns about security staff or companies breaking the law, you can report them to the SIA.

TIGER GROUP SW LTD

Registration reference: ZB650736 

Date registered: 17 January 2024

Registration expires: 16 January 2025

The Data Protection Act 2018 controls how your personal information is used by organisations, businesses or the government.

The Data Protection Act 2018 is the UK’s implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Everyone responsible for using personal data has to follow strict rules called ‘data protection principles’. They must make sure the information is:

• used fairly, lawfully and transparently
• used for specified, explicit purposes
• used in a way that is adequate, relevant and limited to only what is necessary
• accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date
• kept for no longer than is necessary
• handled in a way that ensures appropriate security, including protection against unlawful or unauthorized processing, access, loss, destruction or damage

There is stronger legal protection for more sensitive information, such as:

• race
• ethnic background
• political opinions
• religious beliefs
• trade union membership
• genetics
• bio metrics (where used for identification)
• health
• sex life or orientation

There are separate safeguards for personal data relating to criminal convictions and offences.

Your rights

Under the Data Protection Act 2018, you have the right to find out what information the government and other organisations store about you. These include the right to:

• be informed about how your data is being used
• access personal data
• have incorrect data updated
• have data erased
• stop or restrict the processing of your data
• data portability (allowing you to get and reuse your data for different services)
• object to how your data is processed in certain circumstances

You also have rights when an organisation is using your personal data for:

• automated decision-making processes (without human involvement)
• profiling, for example to predict your behaviour or interests