Durham University Sparks Outrage With ‘Disgusting’ Nightclub Spiking ‘Advice’

A tweet by Durham University offering students advice on how to avoid having their drinks spiked has led to backlash and renewed conversations over victim-blaming.

Durham University has since released advice on spiking, but it hasn’t gone down well with those on social media.

The university’s Student Wellbeing office wrote in a since-deleted tweet, ‘Drink spiking is dangerous and something you can prevent from happening to you and your friends,’ alongside a photo reading ‘Don’t get spiked’, sparking outrage among students.

Budenberg explained that while she and her friends already take every precaution possible on nights out, they’re still left vulnerable to spiking and harassment, and should not be made to feel responsible for the actions of their attackers.

‘This hashtag is victim blaming and creates a culture whereby someone is drugged without their permission and they are to blame,’ she wrote, adding ‘the spotlight is rarely turned on the perpetrators or asked what can be done to protect victims or potential victims.’

Following the backlash, Durham University issued a follow-up tweet in which they wrote ‘we appreciate the feedback on our recent post about drink safety. Students have reported concerns to us about drink spiking on nights out. We take this very seriously, & work with the police & others on guidance to help people be safe & report incidents.’