Drug assisted sexual violence, sometimes referred to as drug facilitated sexual violence, occurs when alcohol or drugs are used to compromise an individual's ability to consent to sexual activity. Drugs and alcohol can lower inhibitions, reduce a person’s ability to resist an assault, and can prevent them from remembering details of the assault.
It is important to note that whether someone is assaulted following a case of spiking, or assaulted following the voluntary consumption of drugs and/or alcohol, the person who is assaulted is never to blame. The responsibility always lies with the abuser.
For further guidance on what to do if you think you may have experienced drug assisted sexual violence, please see the 'it has happened to me or someone I know' section of this website, or contact the Equally Safe Team at equallysafeteam@ed.ac.uk or by making a named report.
Rape Crisis Scotland have a useful handout on drug assisted sexual violence that can be found here.
To view more of their resources or contact them directly to arrange support, you can do so here.
If you believe you may have experienced drug assisted sexual violence in the past 7 days, you can contact SARCS on 0800 148 88 88 to arrange forensic examination if you wish, and link into further supports.
If you are currently unsafe or believe you are at risk of immediate danger, please contact Police Scotland on 999.
If you require emergency medical treatment, you can contact the ambulance service on 999 or attend Accident and Emergency at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
It is important to note that whether someone is assaulted following a case of spiking, or assaulted following the voluntary consumption of drugs and/or alcohol, the person who is assaulted is never to blame. The responsibility always lies with the abuser.
For further guidance on what to do if you think you may have experienced drug assisted sexual violence, please see the 'it has happened to me or someone I know' section of this website, or contact the Equally Safe Team at equallysafeteam@ed.ac.uk or by making a named report.
Rape Crisis Scotland have a useful handout on drug assisted sexual violence that can be found here.
To view more of their resources or contact them directly to arrange support, you can do so here.
If you believe you may have experienced drug assisted sexual violence in the past 7 days, you can contact SARCS on 0800 148 88 88 to arrange forensic examination if you wish, and link into further supports.
If you are currently unsafe or believe you are at risk of immediate danger, please contact Police Scotland on 999.
If you require emergency medical treatment, you can contact the ambulance service on 999 or attend Accident and Emergency at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.