Anti-spiking campaign update

All students deserve to feel safe over the festive period and we recognise that this time of year many people will be out socialising in venues or in accommodation, whether in Sheffield or at home for Christmas.

Your Students' Union will be closed from the 23^rd December to 4^th January, but that doesn't mean that support isn't available. If you believe yourself or a friend has been spiked, it is important that you remember the following steps:

What should I do if I think my friend has been spiked?

1. Stay with them and keep talking to them.
2. Inform a member of the venue staff. You can also call 999 for the police to attend if you have just left the venue or if you are in halls of accommodation or a private residence.
3. Call 999 for an ambulance if their condition deteriorates.
4. Don't let them go home on their own or let them leave with someone you don't trust.
5. Let them know about their options for receiving support, such as Report and Support at Sheffield Hallam. You can also call the police on 101 after the incident or report it online.

Your Students' Union has been working in partnership with Sheffield City Council, South Yorkshire Police, University of Sheffield and Sheffield Students' Union to create anti-spiking posters for venues around Sheffield. One poster informs of the next steps if you believe someone has been spiked and another is aimed at perpetrators, outlining the consequences. We'll be posting these on our Instagram shortly.

The following venues have so far agreed to display these posters. We will also be working to get these posters and adequate anti-spiking measures in as many venues as possible. See anywhere missing from this list? Email us at studentrights@shu.ac.uk.

All students deserve to feel safe and supported throughout their time at university, whether that is on campus, in your accommodation or out in the community. We are continuing to work with our partners around the city to ensure student safety is the absolute priority. Read more about on our anti-spiking campaign.

Student input and involvement is vital to us, so please get in touch with the Student Rights and Campaigns team if you'd like to get involved with campaigning on this issue - or any other issue which affects students.