As revelers get ready for the New Year, a former Love Island participant is urging anyone who has been spiked to contact the authorities. Working with Thames Valley Police (TVP), Sharon Gaffka—who herself was a victim of drink-spiking—is “trying to alter society.”
The social media influencer from Didcot admitted that not reporting her case to the police was her “greatest regret.”
According to recent data, there were about 5,000 occurrences of spiking in the previous year.
The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) said that from January through September of last year, 4,924 incidents were reported, with the majority involving drink and needle spiking.
According to a YouGov poll, 10% of British women had had a drink that was spiked, while 48% of people between the ages of 18 and 24 reported having or knowing someone who had.
When her drink was tainted in 2020, Ms. Gaffka, who had an appearance on the ITV program Love Island in 2021, claimed she was out with pals.
According to her statement to the BBC, “I turned around to one of my friends and stated I didn’t feel good and was found unconscious in the women’s cubicle toilets.”
She was taken to the hospital when an ambulance was summoned, but she didn’t discuss the matter further. She continued, “Unfortunately, I didn’t feel I had anyone to turn to outside of my friendship group.
“To this day, not having reported it to the police is my worst regret.”
The reality show competitor, however, told the BBC that “there are things I could have done to acquire evidence” ever since she started her battle with TVP.
We were aware of the last beverage I may have had that may have been tampered with, she claimed.
“Obviously, the medication can fast exit your body, but that glass would never see it.
“We were unaware that my friends were safe, so they could have grabbed the glass and we could have presented it to the police. I am aware of that today.”
Compound offense
She said, “I constantly receive more texts informing me that I am to blame.
It will never be my responsibility or the fault of any victim, regardless of what I was wearing, and that is something I am trying to change about society, she said.
Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth of the NPCC stated:
“Spiking is a difficult and complex crime to look into.
“Our message to anyone who feels they have been spiked is to report early and be tested by the police,” the statement reads. “This will give us the best chance of identifying drugs and bringing perpetrators to justice.”
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