UEA students boycott clubs and bars across Norwich
'Girls Night in Norwich' want drinks spiking to be tackled properly
Last updated 4th Nov 2021
Students from the University of East Anglia are boycotting clubs and bars across Norwich tonight.
A group known, as 'Girls Night In Norwich' organised this action to ensure drinks spiking in the city is addressed and taken more seriously
We've been speaking to the organiser. She wanted to stay anonymous but tells us how the group was born:
"In a group chat amongst about 40-50 of us, we had a discussion about how bad it was and what we should do moving forwards. I logged into Instagram and saw that 'Girls Night In Nottingham' was trending and I suggested to the group, why don't we plan a boycott for Norwich".
She went on to say that the culture and perception surrounding this, desperately needs to change. As the wrong areas are currently being focussed on:
"Way too many of the girls I spoke to told me that they weren't believed by people, when they told staff that they have been spiked. So I think awareness from staff in clubs and bars is key, because too often people are not believed when they say they have been spiked and are just dismissed, as too drunk".
"Its never ever the fault of the person, who's been spiked. There is always too much emphasis on the person who has been spiked and what they could of done vs the person who is spiking and the fact that they just shouldn't be doing it".
She concluded by saying that a lot has to change to help women feel more safe on a night out again:
"We need drink covers and drink testing kits. We also need greater emphasis to be put on welfare. Staff and security need to have more training to recognise when somebody has been spiked and possibly having designated welfare officers in these venues, where people can go to when they've been spiked, so they can help take it further.