A women's advocacy group is taking aim at drink spiking heading into the holidays

WARNING: This article contains references to assault and sexual assault.

A women's advocacy organization in western Newfoundland is offering a safety measure to hopefully prevent drink tampering ahead of the holidays. 

The Corner Brook Status of Women Council is offering free drink covers to the public to prevent drink spiking.

"It is almost like an aluminum foil sticker that can just go over your drink," Alyson Caines, violence prevention and sexual assault response co-ordinator, told CBC Radio's Newfoundland Morning.

The covers go over the top of the drink and can be pierced by a straw, making it harder for someone else to slip a substance into the glass.

"This is not necessarily going to protect you. And we always tell people it is never ever, ever your fault if your drink is spiked," said Caines. "Even if you use these stickers, you know, it's never ever your fault."

Caines says victims are often women, and they're still often blamed when reporting that their drink was spiked.

LISTEN | CBC's Martin Jones speaks with Alyson Caines on a new intiative to get drink covers to the public: 

CBC Newfoundland Morning8:19Holiday initiative from women's group aims to help women protect themselves from drink-spiking

Drink-spiking can happen to anyone, anywhere. But during the holiday season, there are more than the usual number of gatherings or parties, so there may be an extra risk. The Corner Brook Status of Women Council is offering free drink covers to the public, in an attempt to stop people from secretly putting harmful substances in other people's drinks. Alyson Caines is the Sexual Assault Response and Advocacy (SARA) Coordinator for the Status of Women Council.

Whether or not a sexual assault takes place, Caines said, spiking someone's drink is still a violation.

"There are a lot of misconceptions that people have to go out and protect themselves and whatnot — and that's what we call victim blaming. And we certainly don't want to buy into any of those victim blaming stereotypes," she said.

Reaching public

Anyone interested in getting a drink cover can contact the Corner Brook Status of Women Council directly. 

Caines said she would love for local bars to get on board, and there's interest in collaborating with other non-profit organizations and businesses.

The idea to provide drink covers to the public was began in the lead-up to September's Sexual Violence Awareness Week and Consent Awareness Week.

"With trying to come up with ideas for that particular week, we got the idea to bring awareness to drug facilitated sexual assault. So with that, we were brainstorming ways to help folks feel safer when they party," Caines said.

She said they've also added a QR code that people can scan that takes them to a poster filled with information related to drink spiking.

Have a plan

Caines says people should be able to enjoy holiday parties without fear of what could happen, and there are further ways to stay safe.

"Trust your instincts, trust your gut if something doesn't feel right," she said.

She also suggests people should organize their ride home and share plans with a trusted friend or family member.

"Let them know where you're going, what time you will be home. Always keep your phone charged," she said.

Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Const. James Cadigan said drink spiking can happen outside of bar settings and encourages anyone who suspects their drink has been tampered with to call emergency services and the police.

"These are violent crimes," Cadigan told CBC News.

He also advised that people go out in a group so that if someone leaves their drink, a friend can make sure it's not left unattended.

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