National Stamp Out Spiking Day: Paige’s Story

July 15, 2026

Calculating...

National Stamp Out Spiking Day: Paige’s Story

Today is National Stamp Out Spiking Day – a day dedicated to raising awareness of drink spiking, supporting victims, and encouraging venues, businesses and individuals to take action to make nightlife safer for everyone.

For many people, this conversation isn’t something that happens once a year. It’s something we think about every single time we go on a night out.

Before we’ve even left the house, there’s often a checklist running through our minds:

Don’t leave your drink unattended.
Share your location with friends.
Text when you get home.
Watch the bartender make your drink.
Keep your hand over the top of your glass.
Stay together at all times.

These habits have become so normalised that many women don’t even question them anymore. They’re simply part of going out.

“I Never Thought It Would Happen To Me”

I never thought drink spiking would happen to me. Like so many women, I was cautious whenever I went out. In my line of work, I hear these stories all the time, but you always think it’s something that happens to someone else.

I was out with friends, doing nothing unusual, when I suddenly became extremely unwell after having a drink. Within minutes, I struggled to walk, speak and understand what was happening to me. It was frightening how quickly things changed.

What struck me most was how vulnerable I felt. One moment I was enjoying a night out, and the next I had completely lost control of my body and my ability to keep myself safe.

The Reality of Spiking

Thankfully, my friends and I got home safely, but the effects of what happened didn’t stop there.

Spiking can happen incredibly quickly, and the impact can last far longer than the night itself. It left me feeling anxious whenever I went out afterwards and much more aware of my surroundings in situations that should simply feel enjoyable.

For many victims, it’s not just a bad night out. It changes how you feel in social spaces and affects your confidence long after the incident has happened.

The Hardest Part Wasn’t Even The Night

The following day, I contacted the venue to explain what had happened.

I wasn’t looking to place blame. I simply wanted my concerns to be taken seriously. Unfortunately, I was met with responses that left me feeling dismissed rather than supported.

That experience helped me understand why so many people choose not to report incidents of spiking.

You start questioning yourself:

What if nobody believes me?
What if people think I was just drunk?
What if reporting it changes nothing?

Too often, victims are left feeling that speaking up isn’t worth it.

Why National Stamp Out Spiking Day Matters

National Stamp Out Spiking Day isn’t simply about reminding people to watch their drinks. It’s about recognising that spiking has a real and lasting impact on victims and acknowledging that safety shouldn’t rest solely on individuals being vigilant.

Hospitality venues, security teams and event organisers all have a responsibility to:

Take concerns seriously.
Train staff properly.
Recognise warning signs.
Respond quickly and professionally.
Support vulnerable people without judgement.
Create environments where people feel genuinely safe.

Good safeguarding isn’t about creating fear. It’s about creating spaces where people feel protected, listened to and supported if something does happen.

We Need To Stop Normalising Fear

As the UK’s number one hospitality security provider, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We know that preventing incidents like spiking isn’t the responsibility of individuals – it’s the responsibility of venues, security teams and the wider hospitality industry to create environments where people feel safe and supported.

That means investing in properly trained security professionals, recognising the signs that someone may be vulnerable or in distress, responding quickly and compassionately to concerns, and ensuring that every person is treated with dignity and respect.

National Stamp Out Spiking Day is an important reminder that there is still more work to do. Raising awareness is only the first step – real change comes from action.

At Professional Security, we are committed to working with our venue partners to improve safeguarding standards across the hospitality sector and to ensure that people can enjoy their nights out without fear.

By continuing to educate, support and protect those who put their trust in us, we can help create a safer nightlife culture for everyone.