A COCKTAIL bar has broken its silence on a police investigation into drink-spiking at its premises.
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Police revealed they were investigating up to 10 reports of possible drink-spiking in Bendigo last month.
Management of McCrae Street venue The Deck Bendigo have posted a detailed statement to Facebook after people came forward claiming to have their drinks spiked at the venue.
"We have been very silent due to an investigation, but believe it is now time to break the silence," the venue said in the statement.
"We wanted to make sure any allegations were dealt with correctly as we take any negative situation that may or may not have happened at our venue."
The Deck thanked police for their hard work.
It also thanked those who "bravely" came forward and shared their stories, saying that even though the police investigation was inconclusive, drink-spiking often went unreported.
"[That] only fuels the fire for more casualties," the group said in the statement.
"It has always been our top priority to ensure ALL guests feel safe in our venue. We feel we have done everything we can to implement all safety measures to prevent this kind of behavior happening. If you think we have let you down, we apologise."
The Deck asked anyone who saw or experienced something in its venue to alert staff, saying "we'll believe you, we'll be discreet and we will not let it go unnoticed".
"We can only prevent what we can see whilst on the job, so it comes down to stopping this unacceptable behavior at its core," the Deck said.
It invited people who believed they may have been victims to review CCTV footage.
The Deck also urged other patrons to call out mates' inappropriate behaviour.
"We know that only a small percentage of men and women are perpetrators of this happening all around the country, and it needs to stop.
"Many of these disgusting people and their friends keep allowing this to happen at many venues.
"This inappropriate and sexist behaviour needs to be addressed, continuing to let it slide only strengthens the conditions to allow acts like this to happen and it has to stop."
The business said it had installed extra CCTV cameras.
It serves drinks sold from 1am at the bar in cans. People are able to purchase drinks from stubbies, but they will be poured in front of patrons into appropriate glassware.
The venue operator has also appointed three staff to work as official RSA officers and has weekly staff education sessions.
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