WHAT WE DO

The Safe Bar Collective, a project of Collective Action for Safe Spaces (CASS), uses training, safety messages, and advocacy for equitable hiring practices to equip bar and restaurant staff with the tools they need to cultivate safer environments.

Our training teaches bar staff to recognize and respond to sexual harassment and everyday microaggressions. By using bystander intervention strategies to interrupt harassment, staff can prevent physical and sexual assault.

WHY IT WORKS

Alcohol doesn’t cause violence. But it’s used as a weapon or an excuse in 50% of physical and sexual assaults. This connection puts the staff of alcohol-serving establishments in a unique position to respond and work to prevent violence.

Research supports bystander intervention as one of the most effective sexual assault prevention approaches. Management and staff at alcohol-serving establishments can use bystander intervention skills to better manage aggressive behaviors and, ultimately, prevent assault — including sexual and race-based assault. Our team also works with partner bars and restaurants to improve policies and procedures around responding to incidents, and provides them with safety messages to help connect staff and patrons with further resources if they experience harassment, assault, or discrimination.

Read our 2017 report with findings from the first year of the Safe Bar Collective.