Police are investigating a report of "date rape" at a popular bar on Auckland's Karangahape Road.
Detective Senior Sergeant Geoff Baber told 1 NEWS that, "police are aware of one complaint," at Family Bar, "which was received earlier in the month".
While police haven't noticed an increase in official complaints, it's the latest in a slew of reports which have appeared on social media in the last few weeks.
That's prompted a move from Family Bar to bolster security.
There's now an extra three security staff working to help crack down on the number of incidents, alongside the 20 pre-existing security cameras at the venue.
Grady Elliott, manager of the bar, told 1 NEWS they're working closely with police, and confirmed they’ve received one official complaint regarding date rape.
He said customers should be looking out for each other and watching their drinks closely.
"We do take all incidents seriously, please contact us ASAP if we can help via camera footage," he said.
Mr Grady disagrees with reports online that around 15 people have been unknowingly drugged at the popular bar in the last two months.
"[That] would be about one a week, and we find [that] a little concerning."
It’s an experience Lewis Rowe went through around five years ago.
Mr Rowe was on a night out with some friends on a Saturday, when he started to feel unwell.
“I had one drink in that bar, and I can’t even remember finishing my entire drink to be fair," he said.
“I didn’t feel like I was in control of my body, my speech, things like that."
His next memory was waking up on the Sunday morning, not knowing where he was, with both his phone and wallet missing.
“I’m lucky that nothing terrible happened to me,” he said.
Despite the ordeal, Mr Rowe didn’t make an official report to police.
“Somebody who has been through it who hasn’t had a really awful end result, probably like me, [won’t] tell police.”
New Zealand Police does not keep data around date rape cases specifically, but encourages people to come forward.
Mr Rowe says that’s not good enough, and police need to take more steps to document numbers.
“They don’t feel comfortable going to police
Rape Prevention New Zealand says it’s hard to tell how many people are victims of date rape, as many find it hard to talk about.
Executive Director Debbie Tohill said we need more documentation of these kind of cases.
“There are large amounts of under reporting for all kinds of sexual violence.”
She said people will often have “hazy” memories around what might’ve happened, meaning they don’t feel comfortable going to police.
“Often if there’s alcohol or drugs they’re concerned they’re not going to be believed,” she said.
Ms Tohill also says it’s not necessarily drugs being used to spike drinks.
“People’s drinks can be spiked with vodka or something similar,” she said.
“It’s important bar staff are trained to look out for this kind of stuff.”
Have you, or someone you know been in a similar situation? Send us an email at news@tvnz.co.nz
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