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Hospitality industry leaders are set to work closely with a local campaigner to raise awareness around spiking and help staff spot the signs following a recent incident in which a man was allegedly given laced chewing gum.
Jersey Hospitality Association Co-CEO Marcus Calvani said that the industry body was "extremely concerned" following reports of the suspected spiking incident.
His comments come after a man fell ill on Friday after consuming what is thought to be laced chewing gum that he accepted from a male stranger outside a nightclub.
Following the incident, Holly Shrimpton, who launched an online campaign several years ago to clamp down on spiking and protect its victims, outlined a number of tips to help islanders stay safe and spot the signs.
In a social media post, the JHA said it would be "working closely" with Ms Shrimpton to raise awareness and educate the industry.
Mr Calvani told Express that the JHA would be setting up opportunities for its members "to meet and learn from Holly so that we can all be better informed about these situations".
He explained: “Our industry prides itself in creating a safe environment for its customers and its staff and being an integral part of the community, so naturally, we were extremely concerned to hear about this latest spiking incident.
"Sadly, these incidents do happen, and we need to make sure that all venues are safe for people to go out and enjoy themselves without the fear that their drink or food may be spiked."
Pictured: "We need to make sure that all venues are safe for people to go out and enjoy themselves"
Mr Calvani added: "Staff are used to looking out for the signs of people who overindulge, not serving them if it’s clear they have had enough.
"In the same way, we can work with campaigners like Holly to help our staff be more aware of what to look out for and how to help if someone becomes the victim of such behaviour."
Kate Wright, who chairs the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) taskforce, said one of the major issues around spiking was a "lack of awareness".
She continued: "Sometimes people may be unsure if they’ve been spiked or they lack confidence that anything will happen if they report it.
"Making spiking a specific offence, as has been proposed in the UK, would help to raise awareness and confidence that spiking will be taken seriously and make it easier to bring charges against perpetrators of spiking."
She added: "Spiking isn’t just an issue for police to contend with, however. Bars and venues need to be much more aware and I would like to see a lot more training for their staff.”
Police have issued the following advice:
For those affected, Jersey Action Against Rape offers a confidential helpline at 01534 482 800.
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