Cork Sexual Violence Centre calls for introduction of new spiking laws

The Cork-based Sexual Violence Centre has called for standalone legislation to be introduced to tackle  spiking.

Last year, there were 58 spiking incidents, of adding alcohol or drugs to somebody’s drink without their knowledge, recorded by gardaí.

Cork Sexual Violence Centre spokesperson Mary Crilly told The Echo that she feels this that number is only the tip of the iceberg, that the actual spiking figures are considerably higher.

Data from the sexual assault treatment units published last month, shows that of the 1,021 people who attended the six units in 2025, 209 people expressed concern that the incident may have involved spiking.

Earlier this year in Britain, legislation was introduced in the crime and policing act 2026, which creates a standalone criminal offence for administering harmful substances, including spiking.

This new offence aims to increase public awareness of spiking and to encourage victims to report incidents to the police.

Standalone legislation

Ms Crilly and the Cork Sexual Violence Centre are calling for similar standalone legislation to be introduced in Ireland.

“I would have come across spiking 30-40 years ago, so it is nothing new. But I think now that the time is right to change the legislation where people are more aware.

“We want people to realise the extent of it and how debilitating it is for people.

“We were very involved in the stalking campaign, for example. Once stalking became a standalone crime, more people reported it, more people go for court orders, and the gardaí can now count it better because it is a standalone crime.

Ms Crilly added that spiking is being done through a game called “Take Them Down’”, where victims see their drinks spiked purely for entertainment.

“A lot of people who are spiked are silent about it because they really doubt themselves and they don’t want to make a big deal.”

More endemic now

She said that what has been happening for years is spiking young women and young men to sexually assault them.

“But it is more endemic now, where people have been spiked for no reason at all, just for the laugh and just for the entertainment of others.”

Cork East Social Democrat TD Liam Quaide told The Echo that the Government should work with Sexual Violence Centre Cork and others with frontline expertise to close the gaps in the current system.

“Spiking is a deliberate violation of a person’s bodily autonomy and can leave someone extraordinarily vulnerable to sexual assault, robbery or other harm,” the TD said.

“The law should recognise the seriousness and distinct nature of that offence.

“Legislation must be matched by a proper response when somebody believes they have been spiked.”

Cork Labour Party Senator Laura Harmon added new spiking legislation needs to be introduced urgently by the Government.

“The Government has been too slow at bringing in this legislation and need to get a move on. This is about protecting vulnerable people and clamping down on predators,” she said.