Safer Space and Welfare

Everyone has the right to feel safe and respected at our events.
Look after one another, respect personal boundaries and never assume consent. Harassment, intimidation, unwanted touching, sexual violence, discrimination and spiking will not be tolerated. Anyone responsible may be removed from the event, permanently banned and reported to the police.
Spiking and sexual assault are crimes. They are always the responsibility of the person who committed them, never the person affected.
Looking after yourself and others

Respect personal boundaries
Consent must be freely and clearly given. It must be specific, ongoing and can be withdrawn at any time.
Silence, previous consent or being in a relationship with someone does not mean consent has been given. Someone who is asleep, unconscious or too intoxicated to make a clear choice cannot consent.
If you experience or witness unwanted, threatening or non-consensual behaviour, speak to a member of staff, security or someone you trust.
Stay connected

Let your friends know where you are and check in with one another throughout the event. If you are drinking alcohol or taking any other substances, consider telling a trusted friend what you have taken and how much.
Never leave someone who is vulnerable or unwell on their own.
Stay hydrated

Drink water regularly and take breaks when you need them. Free tap water is available on request from venue bars.
Keep your drink with you where possible and avoid accepting drinks that you have not seen being prepared. Do not drink from unattended containers.
These precautions may help reduce risk, but responsibility for spiking always lies with the offender.
Reduce the risks associated with drugs

The safest option is not to take illegal or unknown substances. Drugs can vary significantly in strength and content, even when they look the same.
If you choose to take something:
Do not use alone.
Avoid mixing drugs with alcohol or with other substances.
Take less rather than more and allow time for the effects to develop.
Tell a trusted friend what you have taken.
Never pressure anyone else to take something.
Seek help immediately if you feel unexpectedly unwell.
For confidential information about drugs, their effects and the law in England, contact FRANK.
Speak up

Tell the venue team if you see behaviour that feels unsafe, threatening or non-consensual. You do not need to be certain that something is wrong before raising a concern.
Listen to people who disclose an experience and take them seriously. Do not blame, question or pressure them into taking any particular action.
Plan your journey home

Rest when you need to. A night out is not a test of endurance.
Tell your friends when you are leaving and travel with someone you trust where possible. Do not allow a vulnerable or heavily intoxicated friend to leave alone or with someone they do not know.
Use licensed taxis, registered private-hire vehicles or trusted public transport services.
If you feel unwell or think you may have been spiked

Get help immediately
Tell a friend, member of staff or security as soon as possible. Explain how you feel, what you remember and anything you knowingly consumed.
Move to a safe place and ask someone you trust to stay with you. Be cautious of anyone attempting to isolate you or insisting on taking you home.
Speak to a member of venue staff
You can approach any member of the bar, security, cloakroom or event team. They will listen, help you reach a safe area and arrange medical assistance when necessary.
You will not be judged or refused help because you have taken alcohol or drugs.
Get medical assistance
Call 999 immediately if someone:
Is unconscious or cannot be woken.
Is having difficulty breathing.
Has a seizure.
Has collapsed or is unable to stand.
Has severe chest pain.
Is extremely confused or distressed.
Is repeatedly vomiting.
Is rapidly becoming more unwell.
If someone is unconscious but breathing, place them in the recovery position and call 999. Do not leave them alone.
For urgent medical advice when the situation is not life-threatening, call NHS 111.
Tell medical professionals everything you know, including any alcohol, medication or drugs that may have been consumed and whether spiking is suspected. This information can help them provide the right treatment.
Do not try to counteract someone’s condition with coffee, alcohol, food or other drugs. Do not force them to drink large amounts of water.
If sexual assault may have occurred

Sexual Assault Referral Centres, known as SARCs, provide free and confidential specialist care in England.
They can provide medical care, forensic examinations, emergency contraception, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and emotional and practical support. You can contact a SARC directly without first reporting the incident to the police.
Where possible, try not to wash, shower or change clothes before receiving specialist advice, as this may affect potential forensic evidence. However, you can still seek help and report what happened if you have already done any of these things.
If you believe you were spiked with a needle, seek medical advice as soon as possible about testing and treatment for possible infections.
Reporting spiking or assault

In an emergency or when someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
For a non-emergency police report, call 101 or report the incident through your local police force’s website.
Spiking should be reported as soon as possible because some substances can leave the body within hours. The police may arrange forensic urine or blood testing. Do not rely solely on commercial self-testing kits.
You can still report an incident even if time has passed or you are unsure exactly what happened.
Where it is safe to do so:
Keep the affected drink, container or any suspected item.
Write down the approximate time, location and what you remember.
Record descriptions of anyone involved.
Save relevant messages, photographs, receipts or journey details.
Ask witnesses whether they are willing to share their contact details.
Tell venue staff promptly so that CCTV and other evidence can be preserved.
Reporting is your choice. You can receive medical care and specialist support without making an immediate police report.
Supporting someone else

Ask the person how they are feeling and what support they would like. Listen without judgement and respect their personal space.
Stay with them and involve staff or security. Do not let them leave alone or with someone they do not know or trust.
Do not give them alcohol, drugs, medication or anything intended to “balance out” what they have taken. This may make their condition worse.
If they are unconscious, struggling to breathe, having a seizure or deteriorating quickly, call 999 even if you are unsure what caused their condition.
Contact and support

Emergency services: 999
NHS urgent medical advice: 111
Police non-emergency line: 101
Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line: 0808 500 2222
FRANK drug information and advice: 0300 123 6600
Contact our team after an event: contact@npmlabel.com
You are not to blame for something that has been done to you. Support is available, whether the incident happened recently or some time ago.

The contents of this page are for information purposes only and do not claim to be complete, up to date or accurate*

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