The troubles have continued for Perth’s Rapture Nightclub, whose owner reportedly asked a patron if she was “worth” having her drink spiked.
Earlier this week, news came forward about Perth’s Rapture Nightclub, which had been attended by Shantel Smith last weekend, a 19-year-old who claimed her drink had been spiked while at the Northbridge venue.
After raising concerns with the venue via Facebook and suggesting an increased security presence, Smith was hit with a response that quickly made headlines.
“What proof do you have of your drink being spiked? Why would anyone want to spike your drink?” the club allegedly responded.
“We think this is a beat up and we believe that no one would be stupid enough to waste their drugs on spiking anyone’s drink.”
While the response was wholly negative across the board, Rapture was soon at the centre of a social media firestorm, with countless negative comments being made on their Facebook page, and a petition being launched suggesting the location be turned into a “homeless shelter or women’s refuge.”
Sadly, the issue didn’t end there, with manager Neil Scott defending his comments in a statement to The West Australian.
“She’s not a particularly attractive girl,” Scott stated. “It’s just implausible to imagine that she had her drink spiked, it just doesn’t sort of add up. She’s just a very plain Jane type of girl. I can’t understand why anybody would be possessed by her.”
Now, Neil Scott has taken to the Rapture Nightclub Facebook page to post – and subsequently delete – an official apology, which many have taken to be little more than an attempt to further defend the initial comments made.
“When I received a complaint that not only had there been a drink spiked in my club and the person had been throwing up in the female toilets for two and a half hours, but that two of her friends had also been drink spiked recently at Rapture, I could not believe the story,” Scott began.
“The video showed the girl leaving the club in jovial spirits and she stayed in front of the club showing no signs of drink spiking or sickness. I got upset and sent a terse reply, calling her out in a sarcastic and demeaning way, which I regret.
“It was beneath my dignity. I am sorry I should have swallowed my disbelief and not let emotion rule my head.
“My advice to anyone who suspects that their drink has been spiked in any situation should immediately contact a staff member of the venue and seek help. At a minimum say something to the crowd controllers on the way out. This will give us the opportunity to catch the perpetrators of the drink spiking.”
While community response was swift (and yet again, almost wholly negative), the apology was soon taken down from Rapture’s Facebook page, with no explanation.
At this stage, there has been no further comment from Neil Scott or employees at the club, though it appears as though a lot of work may need to be done to get the community back on their side.
Check out the ‘exciting’ action at Perth’s Rapture Nightclub:
