Programs for Bars
Several programs exist in the U.S. that provide opportunities for bar owners/staff to get involved with the prevention of sexual assault.
One such program is Boston Area Rape Crisis Center’s (BARCC) Bar Workshop.
From the BARCC website: “Bar owners, management and staff have a unique opportunity to intervene and to prevent sexual assault by creating a safe space for patrons, and BARCC provides strategies for doing so in its trainings for bar owners, management and staff.”
A newsletter article from the Sexual Assault Family Violence Investigator Course that highlights BARCC’s work is available here.
The Arizona Department of Health Services‘ Arizona Bar Bystander Project was piloted as well.
The ADHS and the Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Program (SVPEP) conducted focus groups with bar patrons and staff.
Focus group participants recommended the following 11 recommendations (Source):
- Bar policies: Create zero tolerance of sexual aggression.
- Bar’s role: Create a safe environment. Let patrons know that they have a safe environment and that “we want them to have a good time.”
- Tell patrons to go to bar staff if they need help.
- Teach patrons intervention strategies. If you see something, say something/assertive confrontation.
- Teach patrons gender-specific intervention (women to women, men to women, women to men).
- Provide resource tools for patrons and patron education.
- Design and display posters that explain the accepted bar environment. Create a poster that defines sexual assault and sexual harassment.
- Place posters in the men and women’s restrooms.
- Create a SAFE ZONE sticker/sign/logo for display for participating bars that have had staff members take the sexual violence prevention classes.
- Get the public’s attention. Use media to focus attention on sexual assault and prevention.
- State and Local Roles: Create bar cooperatives/coalitions against sexual violence.
Full Arizona Bar Bystander Project Report available here