Reading Uni students to partake in nightclub boycott after "heartbreaking" injection spikings

Students from the University of Reading are taking part in a movement to boycott nightclubs on October 27.

The Girls Night In movement was kickstarted when a student from Edinburgh called Martha Williams created an Instagram page, urging others to boycott nightclubs, following reports of injection spikings in Nottingham and Glasgow.

At Reading University more than 40 societies will be boycotting Wednesday Union night - which is usually a very popular night out.

Read More: Reading Uni aware of 'several' incidents of drink-spiking

This month, a petition was also set up by Hannah Thomson to "make it a legal requirement for nightclubs to thoroughly search guests on entry" as "there are too many cases of weapons and 'date rape' drugs being used in clubs."

So far the petition has amassed over 157,000 signatures.

Two women who attend the University of Reading have set up a Girls Night In Instagram page to encourage students at the university to take part in the UK-wide boycott.

@girlsnightinreadinguni said: "There has been a dramatic increase recently in reports of spiking, and along with other universities, we are taking a stand against it.

"Being spiked is a traumatising experience and the women being affected deserve to be heard and for things to change.

"It is absolutely heartbreaking that women can’t go on a night out without taking numerous precautions to ensure their safety.

"We shouldn’t be living in fear, and so the ‘Girls Night In’ movement has released a set of National Demands."

The pair went on to explain that their demands include regular bystander training for all bar and club staff members.

They also said that a welfare officer should be designated to each club and be easily identifiable, with anti-spiking devices also made available.

Their last demand is that universities promote a zero-tolerance policy on spiking, which should be "clearly communicated" to students.

"A fundamental part of this campaign is the nationwide boycott occurring next week," they said.

"As an alternative, we have suggested movie nights, small gatherings at home, dinner parties or pamper evenings. We are so proud of our university community for coming together and recognising that increased pressure needs to be applied in order for spiking to be taken seriously.

"We demand to know what clubs are going to be doing nationally in order to minimise spiking and make nights out a safe place for all.

"Reading University Student’s Union have been incredibly helpful and co-operative with our campaign, and we hope to work with them to create some lasting change.

"We urge universities across the country to review their policies, invest in measures to keep their students safe, and to deal strictly with people who spike others."

The duo also explained that though preventative methods can be beneficial, steps must be taken to prevent spiking from happening in the first place.

"We believe there is a lack of education early on, and that the act of spiking leads back to a lack of respect and regard for women and their safety," they said.

"If men are taught from an early age that women are their equals and that they deserve to feel safe in the same spaces as they do, there would be a noticeable decrease in incidences of spiking and other mostly female-affected crimes."

A statement released by the University of Reading said: "University bars and venues managers, and RUSU, our students' union, are working today on a range of enhanced security and welfare measures, to help keep students safe on our campuses and provide reassurance this weekend."

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, Robert Van de Noort said in an additional statement: "It is all too easy to say that this is the behaviour of a minority of men.

"That may be true. But as I said in March, the fact that most men in our community would not even consider being violent towards a woman is irrelevant.

"Because violence happens, and the statistics are clear that it is overwhelmingly perpetuated by men.

"We must ask ourselves the hard questions. Do I challenge inappropriate behaviour when I see it? Do I speak out against ‘banter’ about women? Do I make my values clear to other men, even if it would make me unpopular?

"Both the University and RUSU as institutions will continue to do all we can to keep the women of our community safe. But that is not enough.

"I join with the President of our Students’ Union to call on all the men in our community to take responsibility. As men, we must own violence against women as our problem, not theirs. It is only when we do this that things will genuinely change."

Boycotts have also been organized at universities and cities including; London, Leeds, Brighton, Edinburgh, Royal Holloway, Dundee, and Chichester.

Police in Scotland and Nottingham are currently investigating claims that women have been spiked using injections and Priti Patel has requested an update from police investigating the spiking incidents.

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