The Government is to consider a new offence of drink spiking amid fears the number of women being drugged for sex is on the increase.
“Where spiking is committed with intent to commit a further offence such as sexual assault or theft, that further offence may be charged.” She said a number of legislative proposals for a separate offence have been made on the issue. This included the recent private members bill in the Seanad in May 2023.
She was responding to a written parliamentary question on the issue from the Fianna Fáil Dublin TD Jim O’Callaghan. The proposed new law will carry a maximum jail sentence of 10 years. “For the victim, it is a violation of personal autonomy, consent and it infringes on their rights to make their own decisions. It undermines trust and creates an atmosphere of fear and vulnerability.