Rytas encourages its community and the public to focus on drink-spiking and sexual violence prevention

Rytas Vilnius continues its social campaign Together Against All and, during October, invites its community and the wider public to raise awareness about a serious but still largely overlooked issue — drink-spiking and sexual violence prevention. In collaboration with the organization Ribologija and comedian Vita Žibaitytė (Vita Žiba), an educational initiative has been created to show that this is not a series of isolated incidents but a reality that can affect anyone — girls, women, or men.

Drink-spiking (date-rape drugs) refers to various substances that affect a person’s will, rendering them vulnerable to sexual assault. These substances can have stimulating effects — causing euphoria, false confidence in others, reduced ability to notice danger, or increased sensitivity to physical contact. They can also have sedative effects — causing memory loss, disorientation, drowsiness, or even unconsciousness. Alcohol is often used to administer these drugs because it is easily accessible and lowers vigilance. These dangerous substances can also be added to non-alcoholic drinks or injected. Since they remain in the body only briefly, toxicology tests need to be done as soon as possible.

“Sexual violence involving drink-spiking is a problem we have stayed silent about for too long. Instead of asking victims what they were wearing or where they were, we should ask: Why did someone choose to commit violence?” said Reda Jureliavičiūtė, co-founder of Ribologija. “There is no place for such behavior in our society. And it is our duty to notice and respond. Just as a team wins on the basketball court together, we can fight violence successfully by acting together.”

During this month’s campaign, Rytas’ social media channels feature educational videos that inform the public about these dangers and encourage open discussion. One video explains that the appearance or taste of a drink cannot guarantee its safety, while another shares real, anonymous stories of women who have experienced violence. The initiative is not only about presenting facts but also about calling people to be alert, to pay attention, to respond, and to support victims.

“People see a few cases on television each year and think that’s all that happens. The reality is brutal — 1 in 3 women experiences physical or sexual violence. And the fact that society still blames the victim or defends the perpetrator is cruel to the survivor. We must educate society in the hardest way possible — by showing real stories of victims facing their abusers. To open eyes, to understand, and to stop blaming victims,” said Vita Žibaitytė.

We invite everyone to be part of the change and sign the petition. Don’t ask why she’s silent — help her speak at manoteises.lt/peticija/neklausk-kodel-tyli-padek-prabilti.

It is important to remember that sexual violence is always the conscious choice of the perpetrator and never the victim’s fault. The blame is never on the victim — it is always on the abuser or the one causing harm. The most important thing is not to be indifferent: notice, respond, and support.