In an Australian first, WA Police Force is implementing easy to use, self-administered testing kits along with standardised reporting procedures to ensure early investigative options for victims of a drink spiking incident.
This initiative was developed in consultation with the Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC), ChemCentre WA (CCWA) and the Royal Perth Hospital Emergency Department.
Drink spiking refers to the practice of adding alcohol or drugs into a victim's drink without their knowledge or permission. Drink spiking can be linked to crimes such as sexual assault and robbery where an offender drugs a victim to increase their vulnerability and facilitate the offence. Drink spiking is generally associated with public venues such as nightclubs and bars, however it is also known to occur in private homes.
Several recent, high-profile investigations by the Sex Assault Squad have resulted in the apprehension of sexual offenders allegedly engaged in stupefying women via drink spiking. These investigations include the arrest of two men who between them have allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted 23 women.
The WA Police Drink Spiking protocol will ensure standardised reporting and procedures in relation to potential drink spiking incidents. The Sex Assault Squad will investigate all reported incidents of drink spiking. They will also investigate any associated sexual offences linked to drink spiking incidents.
Testing will be available in the metropolitan area at any 24hr police station and at all police stations in regional WA. This will assist police in quickly identifying any substance that may have been ingested and to offer support to the victim.
The kits can identify over 600 drugs/drug metabolites but will not be used to take action against anyone who may have taken other illicit drugs.
Prompt testing is a must as some drugs are only detectable in a person's system for 12 hours from ingestion. If the test shows a positive result, the person tested can then decide if they wish to proceed with a criminal offence report to police or seek support and/or counselling from other agencies.
Acting Commander Gordon Fairman said that WA Police take all reports of this nature incredibly seriously and have ongoing investigations to determine the causes of reported incidents, and identify any perpetrators. "Being spiked is never the fault of the victim and we are keen to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
The positive impact of more members of the public coming forward when they suspect they have been spiked will enable us to investigate these incidents more comprehensively, and it is hoped the new kits will allow us to tackle evidence threshold issues more effectively than ever before", he said.
WA Police Minister Paul Papalia said the nation-leading initiative will provide rapid testing, and potentially, rapid justice for cowardly criminals.
"Whether you are socialising at a venue or in a private home, everyone deserves to get home safe from a night out."
"This is yet another example of our Police force leading the nation to keep our community safe. This initiative has the potential to make it easier for victims to rapidly get tested, and easier for Police to bring these individuals to justice.
Under the McGowan Government's tough on crime stance, WA Police have been given the tools and the resources to keep our community safe. I'm proud to see our officers using those resources and their initiative to make WA even safer."
