Perth, Western Australia May 10, 2008 Home News Time Out Letters Write a Letter Special Coverage Walsham Classifieds Search Real Estate Trades & Services Submit About Contact Us Advertising Legal	Drink spiking is oh, so easy Did you get spiked? UWA students highlighted the dangers of drink spiking during the UWA Health Day University of WA students found out just how easy it is for predators to spike drinks this week. The student-run Sexual Assault Awareness for Everyone (SAAFE) team held a campaign during the UWA Health Day on Tuesday. The 14 health science students handed out drinks of apple juice and then sneakily put cocktail umbrellas in cups, while people weren't looking, to demonstrate how quick and easy drink spiking can be. The campaign was inspired after an in-house survey found almost two-thirds of UWA students think they are not at risk of sexual assault. The survey also found more than a third of students often left their drinks unattended at social events, and almost 50% have accepted drinks from strangers. SAAFE member David Youens said they had a positive response from the campaign and handed out hundreds of pamphlets on safe behaviour and support services. "Most people know sexual assault is an issue, but there's an unacceptable number of people still doing things like leaving their drinks or letting strangers buy them drinks," he said. "Hopefully, they take notice today and change their behaviour. "Our aim is to increase awareness of sexual assault, educate people about safe behaviour and make people aware of services available for victims." David said the team could not access statistics of sexual assaults at the UWA campus because of confidentiality reasons. "Research has found there is a high risk of sexual assaults on college campuses," he said. Many students are not aware of UWA services for helping victims of sexual assault. SAAFE member Jacinta Ellis said many victims were left traumatised and burdened by the threat of fear, humiliation and shame. "Victims need to understand that what happened to them was not their fault, and there are many services available to support them," she said. Statistics from the Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault 2007 show almost one in five Australian women aged 17 to 24 had experienced sexual violence over a 12-month period. Do you have something to say? Write to us and we may publish your letter next week. BACK TO TOP < PREVIOUS - HOME - NEXT> Copyright © 1999 - 2008 Post Newspapers Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.