Home Department written question – answered at on 29 June 2004.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department
(1) how many incidents of drink spiking were reported in England in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what research his Department is funding into drug assisted rape and sexual assault; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what campaigns his Department is funding to warn people of the danger of drug rape; and if he will make a statement.
We take the use of drugs and other substances to assist in sexual offending and allegations of it very seriously. It is an offence to administer a stupefying substance with the intent of overpowering the victim to engage him or her in sexual activity. Penalties for this crime were recently substantially increased in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 to a maximum of 10 years.
An average 450 allegations of this type are investigated by the Forensic Science Service annually. Of these only between 1 and 2 per cent. show any sign of an unexplained sedative drug. We do not hold central information about the number of cases reported.
The Home office is not currently funding research into drug assisted Rape.
An Action Plan was launched in July 2002 to implement the recommendations of the HMCPSI/HMIC joint investigation into the investigation and prosecution of cases involving allegations of rape. This includes 'drug rape' and work with the Association of Chief Police Officers has seen improved guidance to the police. This includes a joint police and Crown Prosecution Service training package and the Joint Operational Police Instructions (JOPI) which were published in June 2003. The "Core Investigative Doctrine" and the "Sexual Offences Investigation Manual of Guidance" are also currently being updated by Centrex.
The Government are funding a three year national drugs campaign, FRANK, which uses TV, radio and print to provide a wide range of information on drugs issues. Its target group is young people and their parents. Information about spiked drinks and the use of substances for sex offences has been included where relevant in support materials provided to stakeholders and local community organisers.
The Safer Clubbing Guidance is to be updated later this year and will specifically contain guidance on the prevention of, and provision of information on, drug assisted sexual assault. This guidance is distributed to licensed premises, the police, licensing authorities and the local authority via Drug Action Teams.
Yes0 people think so
No0 people think not
Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.