30 July 2005

Drink Spiking and Drug Assisted Sexual Assaults

As highlighted by the television programme Stakeout, aired Channel 3, 28 July 2005, increasing anecdotal evidence suggests that significant rates of drink spiking/drug assisted assaults are occurring in New Zealand.

The insidious nature of these crimes renders the targets powerless to make decisions around their safety or to make rational choices.

Current evidence to date of the occurrence of these crimes is largely anecdotal due to lack of research and poor community awareness. Measures need to be taken to raise levels of reporting and the identification of effective interventions if the anecdotal rate of drink spiking/drug assisted assaults is to be reduced.

To establish the prevalence of this crime in our communities and to identify at risk groups and localities the New Zealand government needs to take the initiative now to establish a programme that can clearly identify the actual situation.

As an interim step we urgently seek the development of a multi-media drink spiking awareness programme to raise awareness and protect our families now.

We also call upon the major political parties to release their party policy on how, if they win the election, they will address the anecdotally reported alarming rate of drink spiking (plus or minus) drug assisted sexual assaults.

ENDS

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