The number of reports of ‘spiking’, where drugs are added to someone’s drink without that person realizing it, has increased significantly in recent years. Between 2017 and 2024, 917 cases were reported in Belgium. Victims often end their evening with memory loss and trauma, and in many cases abuse was involved.
Flemish Minister of Justice Zuhal Demir (N-VA) wants to tackle the phenomenon with the help of detection bracelets that can detect rape drugs in drinks. These are currently being developed in collaboration with the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO). It is not yet clear how much such a band would cost and when exactly the rollout will take place, but work is being done as quickly as possible, it is said. “We must tackle perpetrators as much as possible, but in the meantime everyone in the nightlife deserves a means to protect themselves,” said Demir. “This bracelet gives them a little extra security in a world where not everyone has good intentions. As long as some people take pleasure in harming others, it is our damned duty to provide maximum protection to everyone who goes out.”
“Reality is harsh”
The bracelet must eventually be usable in nightlife, events and festivals. “The reality is harsh,” says Demir. “Spiking is increasing, victims are losing their memory and perpetrators are still running away too often.”
Similar bracelets already exist abroad, for example in Spain where they have already been used with great success in Valencia. “However, a conscious decision was made not to blindly adopt these tapes, because they can only detect a limited number of drugs,” Demir’s office reports. “We want a detector that can respond to different drugs, so that perpetrators remain in the dark about what means they can be caught with.”
In addition to protecting victims, deterrence also plays an important role. “The catering industry will be able to immediately call the police if a positive test occurs,” it said. “If perpetrators know that people are wearing such a detector, they think twice,” says Demir. “And by training the catering industry to call in the police, we increase the chance of being caught before something bad happens.”
How does the bracelet work?
The bracelet looks like a normal festival bracelet, but contains two mini sensors inside that respond to rape drugs. It is light, biodegradable and can be used for several days in a row. Wet a small part of the band with one drop of your drink. Will the piece turn green? Then a suspicious substance is present. The reaction takes place within a few seconds and is clearly visible to the naked eye.
Not any measures regarding safe going out
The bracelet is not the only measure that Demir wants to take for a safer nightlife. In the context of the action plan against Gender-Based Violence, the minister also plans to raise awareness about spiking, training catering staff about spiking, bystander training and cooperation with other ministers on more safety on the street, better support for victims and a more developed approach to perpetrators.
“This bracelet is only part of the answer,” says Demir. “But if this can prevent even one rape, then we should not ignore this tool. Those who want to do harm will have less and less space. And those who want to enjoy a night out must be able to do so safely.”
