Columbus Bar and Restaurant Bystander Program
Safe Bars 614 uses innovative bystander intervention to stand up against sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other acts of inappropriate behavior to increase safety and comfort in bars and restaurants.
Why Safe Bars 614?
Safe Bars 614 empowers bystanders to identify behaviors of aggressors, intervene whether proactively or responsively, and overcome barriers to taking action.
This program targets bars and restaurants because one-half of those who commit sexual assault are under the influence of alcohol at the time. Bystander intervention is a key approach to prevention of sexual violence. Programs like Safe Bars 614 increase how often people step in and shape bystanders responses when asked for help.
Safe Bars 614 training will leave staff with:
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understanding of harassment and other types of inappropriate behaviors
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understanding of how common unwanted sexual aggression is and why it happens
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skills needed to respond to such behavior safely and appropriately
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strategies for promoting a culture of safety, respect and support for all
What’s In It For You?
PROMOTION
Safe Bars 614 promotes establishments that have taken the training on our website, social media and written material. We also provide a Safe Bars 614 decal to let your customers know that you care about their experience.
CUSTOMER AND STAFF SATISFACTION
As a safe establishment you show your customers and staff your commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment.
STAFF PREPAREDNESS
A safe bar/restaurant will have a greater range of strategies to use in addressing unwanted sexual aggression directed at themselves and patrons. With staff more able to notice and address problems early, sexual aggression can be stopped before the police are called or an incident report filed.
A BETTER BOTTOM LINE
Customers who have positive experiences are more likely to return and tell their friends. On the other hand, just one customer who has a bad experience and leaves with their friends can cost $1,000 in lost tabs over a year. You can prevent the devastating negative press that accompanies an incident.
Research
Bar Training for Active Bystanders: Evaluation of a Community-Based Bystander Intervention Program
Ráchael A. Powers 1 and Jennifer LeiliViolence Against Women 1–21 © The Author(s) 2017 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801217741219 DOI: 10.1177/1077801217741219 journals.sagepub.com/home/vaw
Bystander intervention programs are proliferating on college campuses and are slowly gaining momentum as sexual violence prevention programs suitable for the larger community. In particular, bystander intervention programs aimed at bar staff have been developed in a number of locations. This study entails the exploratory evaluation of a community-based bystander program for bar staff. Using a pre/post test design, this study suggests that evidence surrounding the effectiveness of this program is promising as it decreases rape myths, decreases barriers to intervention, and increases bartenders willingness to intervene. Future research and policy implications are discussed.
