Gay Cumbria - Support
Here we have provided some support information and articles, we hope you find them useful. Please note that all experiences differ and each situation should be tackled on its own merit, our support articles are for guidance only.
Please follow the links below.
Coming Out | Cottaging/Cruising | Domestic Abuse | Drink Spiking/Date Rape
Homophobia | FFLAG - (Family & Friends of Lesbians & Gays) | In the Closet
Relationship Break Up | Personal Safety Tips
Drink Spiking and Date Rape
The trend of drink spiking with intent to sexual assault and rape, is a growing problem. Spiking can happen to both men and women. Drinks can be spiked with drugs including alcohol.
What are the symptoms?
Dizziness, feeling light headed, feeling sick
Drowsyness, confusion and loss of consciousness
Lack of self co-ordination, unusual behavior
Co-ordination problems
Many victims feel like that they have had a blackout the next day.
Safety tips
Only accept drinks from people that you know and trust. Be suspicious if someone you don’t know buys you a drink. Keep your drink with you, even in the toilets. Never go back to a drink that you have left unattended, it only takes seconds to spike! Make sure everyone in your group gets home safely and that no-one is left on their own with a complete stranger. Don’t judge a book by its cover, you are just as likely to be spiked by a charming stranger as you are by a sleazy looking character. If you develop any of the above symptoms, get to a safe place with safe people quickly.
If you wake up the next morning and suspect that you have been date raped:
If you’re not in your own home, get to safety quickly. Collect your first pee (urination) of the morning, this may contain traces of the drug used to spike you, and this can be used as evidence by the police. Collect your pee in a clean container, i.e. Cup/bowl. Call 999 and ask for the police.
