NSW Parliament debate on an ePetition signed by 20,000 or more persons regarding mandatory training for the prevention of drink spiking and sexual violence, lodged by the member for Newcastle. 

Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown—Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault) (16:10): I thank the member for Newcastle for bringing this petition to the House and for his support and advocacy to ensure people, particularly women and young women, remain safe. I also acknowledge the strong advocacy of the What Were You Wearing? campaign, and particularly Sarah Williams, in raising the awareness of drink spiking by providing educational resources and, importantly, giving victims of sexual assault a voice.

I note the petition from What Were You Wearing? that was tabled has reached 20,000 signatures, and that is no mean feat. Sarah and her team have put in many long hours, including attending festivals, getting signatures on nights out and running a social media campaign. Today, What Were You Wearing? also held a powerful art exhibition at the front of Parliament House, showcasing outfits worn by sexual assault survivors at the time of their attacks. I have attended that exhibition on a couple of occasions in the past, once with the police Minister. It is an incredibly impactful and disturbing exhibition.

There has been a shocking increase in reported incidents of drink spiking. Indeed, we have seen a rise of almost 50 per cent compared with pre-pandemic levels. In the year to June 2022 the NSW Police Force received 186 reports of drink or food spiking compared with 115 in 2015 and 119 in 2018. That is 71 more people who have gone for a night out, only to have their drink or food spiked. The most concerning thing, though, is that we know that less than one-sixth of suspected drink spiking sexual assaults are believed to be reported to police. We know that while drink spiking does happen to men as well, 87 per cent of drink spiking victims are women. As the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, and the Minister for Women, this topic is close to my heart. No woman should have to fear their drink or food being spiked when they go out just to have a good time. No woman should have to fear assault or sexual assault just because they have said no, only to then have their drink spiked and be assaulted.

This is what happened to Demi, who was at a nightclub in Newcastle when she was approached by a group of five men who surrounded her and pressured her into consuming drinks. When the venue closed, they tried to get Demi to leave with them, including by using force. By then she was beginning to experience sedative symptoms. Luckily for Demi, her friends intervened, causing the men to leave. But Demi continued to feel unwell, and she faded in and out of consciousness. Hospital staff later confirmed that her drink had indeed been spiked. The disturbing thing is that it was reported that the venue and security staff were not able to help Demi and did not take a report of the incident. This was the second time that Demi's drink was spiked at that venue. That incident was the genesis for the current petition before the House seeking mandatory training for the prevention drink spiking and sexual violence for all security for bar staff at nightclubs, including drink spiking prevention kits, educational resources and posters in venues to promote patron safety and awareness.

The Government takes the issue of drink spiking seriously, and I am sure that everybody in this place does. We condemn violence against women. Drink spiking is a criminal offence under the Crimes Act and penalties include fines and up to two years' imprisonment. I commend the Minister for Gaming and Racing, who is taking swift action to tackle this issue. I know that he will speak later. His actions include updating the drink spiking content in responsible service of alcohol training handbooks, exploring options to further promote the Think Safe to Drink Safe campaign, adding drink spiking guidance to the liquor guidelines documents and reviewing the possibility of reinvigorating the Ask for Angela campaign that the member for North Shore spoke about. I finish by thanking Sarah and all those who share their stories with What Were You Wearing? Drink spiking needs more awareness and attention, and this is exactly what they have done. I commend the motion.