WOMEN are planning a boycott of nightclubs across Scotland later this month as concerns grow over claims revellers are being spiked by injection.
It comes as Police Scotland have confirmed investigating a "small number" of spiking reports in Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow.
The Girls Night In campaign is urging revellers to stop going to major party venues in Scotland on October 28 amid reports women have been targeted in recent weeks.
Priti Patel has ordered an urgent update from police on the spiking 'epidemic', amid reports that women have been drugged by men using needles to inject 'date-rape' drugs.
The Home Secretary has ordered police to update her on the situation, following reports of incidents across the UK.
A petition calling for nightclubs to be legally required to search guests on arrival for weapons and 'date rape' drugs has now reached over 131,000 signatures following the reports. Parliament considers all petitions that get more than 100,000 signatures for a debate.
Scots partygoers are now being urged to host house gatherings and flat parties where they can feel safer.
Some Edinburgh students have said they had been left with “small puncture wounds” after being spiked with injections.
University of Dundee officers have contacted students highlighting “appalling” reports of people being spiked via injection in the city.
In an email to students and social media posts, university secretary and chief operating officer Dr Jim McGeorge called the reports “extremely distressing” and highlighted support on offer to victims.
He was backed by Dundee University Students’ Association (DUSA) president Dimitiris Vidaki.
And another woman later alleged that she had been spiked in a Stirling bar.
Police say they are currently investigating separate incidents in Dundee and Glasgow.
Victims have reported waking up with a pinprick surrounded by a giant bruise, as well as no memory of the night before.
Those targeted with needles also carry the risk of shared or unclean needles being used, posing threats of HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.
Some women say they are now wearing denim jackets in nightclubs and bars because the material is 'harder to pierce' with a needle. Others are choosing to wear thick clothing in fear of being spiked.
Sandy Brindley from Rape Crisis Scotland said: “Reports of spiking by injection are obviously deeply concerning and are having a very real impact on how safe particularly women are feeling entering bars and clubs.
"We agree with all those calling for venues to do better and ensure that they are taking every possible measure to prevent abusive men from having access to their premises and being able to perpetrate harm, and in responding robustly to reports when this does happen."
Girls Night In has called for people to boycott clubs on October 28 to demonstrate that women and other people are ‘not comfortable going out so long as nightclubs are enabling spiking.’ The boycott is planned for Edinburgh, Stirling and Aberdeen on October 28.
Girls Night In Edinburgh were the first to call for a boycott in clubs on October 28. An Instagram account in support of the idea has quickly gained 5,000 followers.
They are demanding clubs take threats to women more seriously and introduce improved safety measures.
They want bar staff to get training on how to deal with spiking incidents, increased searches when entering clubs, and better CCTV to help catch out sick culprits.
Campaigners also say immediate and long-term support for victims must be better, with more obvious guidelines in clubs for where someone should go if they have been targeted.
They also say stoppers and cup covers should be more readily available for clubbers.
Other demands include harsher repercussions for anyone found guilty of spiking - and improved treatment and prevention policies from the Scottish Government.
The campaign group said: “Let's all host flat parties or gatherings in safe environments so we can show the disgusting human beings that are spiking people and local clubs that we do not need nightclubs to have a good time at the risk of our own safety.
"We are asking clubs and bars to increase their entry security. We are asking clubs and bars to provide free drink protection devices (drink divers etc). We are asking clubs and bars to provide a clear and obvious medical centre and a safe way to get home.
“This is not a stay at home message. This is asking our students to protest against the clubs and bars. They are not responding to our complaints so we must make them.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We are aware of posts circulating on social media about spiking incidents involving injections in Scotland.
"Officers are carrying out enquiries, and a small number of reports from the Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow areas are being investigated.
"These do not appear to be linked.
"We take all reports seriously and we would encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of spiking in any form to contact Police via 101.”
Night Time Industries Association Scotland has been approached for comment.
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