Today I want to introduce the trailblazer that is Mair, founder of 'I've Been Spiked' campaign.
Mair has single handedly done the biggest mazza on someone who took her power away from her, and made it her mission to raise hell. Something very well respected here. As a fellow hell raiser, I instantly felt compassion and anger for Mair.
Being spiked takes away your independence, safety and trust. In 2021, the spiking epidemic finally made it to the headlines, and Mair was one of the main reasons for that. When I read her story last year, I suddenly felt ANGRY and empowered.
I had been spiked a few months before reading her story, and had stuffed it to the bottom of my brain to forget about. I was 'lucky' because I wasn't technically harmed when I was spiked, but reading Mair's story, unearthed a lot of fury in me and awoke the anger... what was the spikers intent?
I've Been Spiked is a safe space created by Mair, as a way to take back her power. After noticing a lack of education, support and help out there for spiking victims, she decided it was time to spread the word. Sharing informative infographics and ways to tell if you have been spiked, Mair made sure her voice was heard.
Since speaking out, Mair has been on most news channels and interviewed on Radio 1, her petition was successfully brought to parliament and you can see her posters across many bars in London. You can already see why she is a big female inspiration for me.
What has been your proudest moment since starting the 'I've Been Spiked Campaign'?
My proudest moment since starting the campaign has honestly just been helping other victims and starting @ivebeenspiked in the first place. I always said that I would be happy if I was able to just help one other person, I never thought the campaign would reach this far!
Where do you hope to see I’ve Been Spiked in 3 years time? Have you seen much change since you started campaigning?
In an ideal world, I would love for @ivebeenspiked not to exist in 3 years, which sounds mad, but I want things to be so different that we don't have to have these conversations anymore.
I know that's unfortunately unrealistic, so I want to set up @ivebeenspiked as a charity to help people on a wider scale. I want to tap more into the education system to raise more awareness of spiking but also I really believe in the power of better sex education at schools in terms of helping to tackle violence against women and the rise of incel culture. The main change I've seen since starting the campaign is that more people are talking about spiking openly, this isn't a new issue, but I think till recently it was a relatively taboo subject even though I would argue it's one of the most common forms of assault in the UK. Seeing it spoken about in parliament, on the news and just amongst my peers is a good feeling.
Biggest female inspiration?
I'm lucky enough to have been raised by strong unapologetic women. So my biggest female inspo are the women I'm surrounded by.
I was once told by someone in my life that “if you ever want a boyfriend, you need to tone yourself and your opinions down as it isn’t attractive”. What would you say to that if someone said the same to you? Do you think being a strong, opinionated and empowered woman has affected dating for you?
The same has actually been said to me, but I would just say the right person for me will love me for who I am. Being strong, opinionated and confident is fundamentally who I am as a person. I don't think anyone should ever have to dim their light to suit another person, self love always comes first over anything else. (It hasn't affected my dating because I don't date men anymore LOL but in the past more so.)
What one piece of advice would you give to a 16 year old girl right now growing up in the age of Tik Tok and social media?
I would just say that everyone's journey is different. As much as it's possible focus on your own path. I spent a lot of my teen years comparing myself to others, when really no two people are comparable. That's the beauty in life, everyone's story is unique, as is every person. It's our differences that make us and those should be celebrated.
A book or film that changed your life?
Bell Hooks - All About Love is a book that changed my life. Exploring love on every level, it opened my mind to how (as cheesy as it sounds) love really does make the world go round. Being able to give and receive love is one of the most important things we can do.
Mairs' new podcast 'Pricks' comes out on the 11th March across all streaming platforms, and will explore the complexities of the drink spiking epidemic in the UK, as she figures out what exactly we need to change.
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