Stamp Out Spiking, the registered charity dedicated to raising awareness and combating drink spiking, is proud to announce the launch of its national out-of-home awareness campaign, “If Only…” will go live on October 28th, 2024, to coincide with Halloween and Christmas, keys periods which see an alarming rise of drink spiking incidents.
Founded by Dawn Dines in 2019, Stamp Out Spiking has been at the forefront of educating the public about the prevalence and dangers of drink spiking. Dawn, who has been campaigning against this crime since 2004 and has tirelessly advocated for the safety of individuals through educational workshops and collaborations with local authorities and is currently lobbying MPs to introduce tougher legislation which will see spiking as a specific crime that carries applicable punishments that will act as a real deterrent and play a pivotal role in stamping out spiking.
“Drink spiking continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, with alarming statistics revealing an uplift in incidents, especially around festive seasons,” said Dawn Dines, Founder of Stamp Out Spiking. “Through our ‘If Only…’ campaign, we aim to provoke awareness and encourage vigilance among the public.”
The campaign features a striking series of spiked glasses, designed to show how it is not always easy to spot a drink that has been spiked. Strategically placed in key OOH locations nationwide, including roadside, shopping centres and transport hubs. The design prompts viewers to reflect on the issue of drink spiking and its potential impact, whilst also introducing Stamp Out Spiking as the national charity to be the voice of all victims.
Including the use of a beer glass to represent safety for all genders, underscores Stamp Out Spiking’s commitment to inclusivity and safety.
The campaign’s creative idea originated from Stamp Out Spiking’s partnership with Hogarth Worldwide. ‘The issue of spiking is at the forefront of people’s minds with many of our own colleagues effected by this unseen crime. We wanted to create a campaign that would make people pause and think about theirs and others safety. Clear Channel’s ‘a platform for good’ initiative has been able to provide OOH locations that have national reach’ explains Joseph Knight, Client Director, Hogarth.
Recent data underscores the urgency of Stamp Out Spiking’s mission: a 13% increase in incidents reported in London, with the Metropolitan police receiving 1,383 allegations of spiking in 2023 – an average of more than 26 a week. Male spiking cases now account for 25% of reported incidents and shockingly, 97% of spiking incidents go unreported to the police, with only 2% of reported cases resulting in convictions, highlighting the need for increased awareness.
“By harnessing the power of awareness campaigns, social media, and educational promotions, Stamp Out Spiking seeks to empower individuals to protect themselves and others,” added Dawn Dines.
For more information on how to support the “If Only…” campaign or to learn about anti-spiking products such as Stop Topps, visit https://stampoutspiking.org.
