Millions celebrated La Fête de la Musique in France last week.
A street music festival turned into a nightmare for revelers when 145 people were attacked with needles. Across France, 12 suspects have been detained in connection with these spikings.
On the summer solstice, the 44th Fête de la Musique was held across France, with museums, clubs, restaurants, and even libraries organizing concerts, attracting millions of festival-goers. The outdoor festival brought “unprecedented crowds” to Paris, and the chief of police noted there were three to four times as many people in the city as usual. During the annual festival, at least 13 people in the capital were jabbed with needles. Three investigations are ongoing in separate incidents in which three people felt unwell, including a 15-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man.
Around 50 people were jabbed with needles in the city of Angoulême by four suspects, who have been arrested. In Tours, 13 women reported they were stabbed by syringes, while additional incidents targeting women occurred in Évreux, Rouen, and Metz. The interior ministry said it is taking these incidents very seriously. “Toxicology tests are being done and the investigation is ongoing.” It is not yet known whether needle spiking in France involved date-rape drugs such as rohypnol or GHB.
The mayor of Metz, François Grosdidier, confirmed in a Facebook post that 17 girls ages 14 to 20 were targeted in the city and one attacker was arrested using video footage.
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Before the festival, French feminist influencer Abrege Soeur posted a warning on TikTok that there had been calls on social media to attack women during the event. She did not reveal how she obtained this information.
@abregesoeur♬ son original – abregesoeur
In 2022, more than 300 people reported being attacked by needles across France. Unsuspecting individuals were jabbed at music festivals, concerts, and nightclubs, leaving authorities confounded because they could not identify suspects, motives, or the drugs involved. Similar reports surfaced in the U.K., where 1,382 people reported being spiked by needles between September 2021 and January 2022. Most victims of needle spiking are women, particularly in large crowds. The needles are typically aimed at arms, buttocks, or backs, so victims rarely see their attacker.
Spiking refers to administering drugs into another person’s drink or body without their knowledge or consent. Women are disproportionately targeted, and date-rape drugs such as rohypnol are used to incapacitate them. Victims may become confused, lose consciousness, and experience blackouts or memory loss. The U.K.’s Metropolitan Police states that symptoms can begin within 15 minutes of spiking and may last several hours. Victims can get tested to determine if they have been drugged and what substances were used.
Unfortunately, these incidents are common in many parts of the world, and authorities urge people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. It’s also a concern on American college campuses, where new students are sometimes drugged. The motive isn’t always sexual assault; sometimes, attackers just want to get someone high for amusement. Depending on where the crime occurs, perpetrators may face charges or penalties. In California, a law that took effect last year requires bars and clubs to offer date-rape drug test kits to patrons for free or at discounted prices.
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