Safe Bars
Safe Bars: Training service industry staff to stand up to sexual violence.
We are a collective of hospitality workers and sexual violence prevention professionals aiming to address sexual the issue of assault/harassment originating in places that serve alcohol. Our goal is to increase safe(r) nightlife experiences for folks in the greater Richmond region.
Why Bars?
About half of all sexual assaults involve alcohol. Unwanted sexual attention, including verbal harassment and touching, occurs frequently in bars, restaurants, and clubs. We know that alcohol doesn’t cause sexual assault, but it’s used as a weapon to incapacitate targets and as camouflage to excuse aggressor behavior. Bars, restaurants, clubs, and breweries also have some of the highest rates of workplace sexual harassment of any industry in the U.S., harming workers and their workplaces alike.
Training Info
Our 2.5 hour, interactive trainings are offered free of charge. Our curriculum focuses on two main areas– recognizing unwanted sexual aggression and targeting; and responding to it. We cover the scope and causes of sexual aggression, and then use an active bystander intervention framework to empower staff to step in when they suspect inappropriate behavior. We present multiple methods of intervention so that staff can tailor their responses to their own comfort levels and identities.
Donate to Safe Bars RVA to help us cover travel costs, train new members, and offer scholarships for your favorite bar, venue, or brewery!
Contact Information
Kailie Smith, Founder
- Email: safebarsrva@gmail.com
- Phone: 804-249-9470 ext. 120