Community outreach : Spiking and drug-facilitated sexual assault are phenomena that occur frequently and can occur anywhere in the world. It is therefore of social importance that the public knows that these phenomena exist and what their consequences are. Overall, young women in nightlife are at the greatest risk. The most commonly used drugs in cases of drink and needle spiking and drug-facilitated sexual assault are alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines, MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), cocaine, benzodiazepines and opioids ​(1–12)​. Toxicological analysis showed high alcohol levels in multiple spiking cases. Based on these toxicological analyses alone, it is impossible to determine whether this alcohol was consumed intentionally or through additional drink spiking. It is important to obtain as detailed contextual information as possible as this will help to make the distinction between the two. Regardless, further patient education about the risks of excessive alcohol consumption remains important. This master’s thesis suggests that providing better public educational programs about the responsible use and safe consumption of alcohol may help prevent this type of alcohol consumption, and thus reduce the number of patients who claim to be under the influence of drugs and present themselves to the hospital. In addition to the high detection rates of ethanol, high detection rates of stimulants were also common in spiking cases. These findings suggest that spiking occurs in a context of binge drinking and/or recreational drug use, which may create situations conducive to spiking. Antidepressants and antipsychotics were frequently found in spiking cases, suggesting that the victims were already very vulnerable individuals, making it easier for them to become a victim of any kind of assault. These findings, as discussed in our results, challenge the public perception that drink spiking is a “proactive drug-facilitated sexual assault” (the forcible or covert administration of an incapacitating or disinhibiting substance by an assailant for the purposes of serious sexual assault ​(4)​). To change this public perception, educational programs should emphasize the opportunistic nature of most drug-facilitated sexual assault cases. This will not only reduce the stigma surrounding voluntary drug/ethanol use by drug-facilitated sexual assault victims, but also result in victims being more likely to report the crime to the authorities ​(1)​. Anderson et al. ​(2)​ conclude that appropriate educational campaigns increase awareness among both the general public and forensic services and therefore have a positive impact on the appropriate measures taken. This master’s thesis can help formulate national protocols for the assessment of spiking and drug-facilitated sexual assault victims in the emergency department, proper sample collection and sample processing in laboratories. Finally, it is important to note that collecting data on spiking incidents can assist law enforcement by identifying establishments experiencing problems with spiking incidents ​(3)​. In conclusion, we can say that there is a need for improved sampling protocols, sensitive analytical methods to increase the utility and relevance of toxicological assessments. Better education for emergency responders will ensure proper medical examination and psychological support for victims of alleged sexual assault.