Look Sharp

‘Look Sharp’ records verbatim responses from young women and non-binary people in Birmingham. It creates a vision of the perfect night out, brought to life by community participants dancing, twirling and cat-walking. This is juxtaposed by dancers in full leather & denim outfits, depicting the restriction that victim-blaming creates. The film responds to recommendations to “wear thick leather or denim” to protect against spiking, aiming to reframe the blame around spiking.

I've Been Spiked - What Should I Do?

Your Safety – Call 999 For Immediate Support

What should I do if I’ve been spiked? (National Police Chiefs’ Council)

Spiked via Injection Support

What should I do if a used needle injures me? (NHS)

Sexual Assault & Rape Support

Support after SA & Rape (NHS)
Find your nearest support centre (NHS)

Report the Incident

Report a Crime (Met Police)
Give information about a crime or incident (Crime Stoppers)
Add to the Spiked Database (The Egalitarian)
I’ve been Spiked Survey (@ivebeenspiked on Instagram)

How Can I Join The Campaign?

Share the Look Sharp video
Write to your local MP:

1. Visit www.WriteToThem.com
2. Search your postcode
3. Click on your MP from the list
4. Write your own message, or use our suggested letter template

Sign Stamping Out Spiking’s Change.org Petition

Order the @ivebeenspiked posters/stickers for free

How Can I Protect Against Spiking?

N.B. It should not be on us to protect ourselves from spiking – however – this is the reality. Read the below articles for your safety, but also please join us in campaigning to make spiking a criminal offence so that we don’t have to protect ourselves.

How to avoid Drink Spiking (Drink Aware)
Protect yourself from Drink Spiking (Alcohol Education Trust)

What Can Pubs/Bars/Nightclubs Do?

Safety Certification and Training for the Night Time Economy (The Egalitarian)
Spiking Awareness Training, and online course (Stamp Out Spiking)
Drinkaware Vulnerability Training (National Pub Watch)

It was an incredible experience! Daz, Martha, the videographer/photographer and other dancers made me feel so welcomed and safe to express myself within the filming environment! I definitely learned just how male dominated the security aspects of clubs were after talking about it in my interview and take away the ongoing idea of persistence in womens safety in club scenarios - we must keep battling this imbalance!

First of all thank YOU so much for this amazing experience. I really felt like I was in a club having fun in a safe place like I was literally dancing with my friends (even if most of us met there). The vibes were just as incredible, I felt so comfortable after the beginning of the interview that made me a bit shy, but after a couple of minutes you girls made me feel so relaxed. I'm so happy I took part in this amazing project that gave me even a bit of a chance to explain my point of view in such a horrible act that still takes place in clubs, pubs etc.

I loved the experience. It was really inspiring to meet and work with people who care about making a difference. It was really fun to just let go and dance, and feel really included, happy and safe in the sapce. I would love to get involved in future Calico projects because I love how they use art to talk about real-world issues.

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and I did not want it to end! I had so much fun and the project allowed me to witness different characters and personalities expressed through dance, which is a wonderful thing to see. I learned more about myself and how my body moves and I will take the energy I threw into the space, onto the dance floor in the night club!