Venue staff clued up on harassment
STAFF at 11 Newcastle venues have undergone specialist training to protect drinkers and staff from sexual harassment.
More than 200 bar staff across the city have been taught how to identify sexual harassment and to intervene safely as part of a campaign called Shout-Up!
Powerhouse, Rusty’s, The Blonde Barrel, The Spot White and The Cluny are among the venues that have undergone the training.
It comes after recent reports of drink spiking and spiking by injection in Newcastle.
An investigation by UN Women in March 2021 also found that 97% of women have experienced sexual harassment.
The Old Coal Yard, The Cumberland Arms, and Holy Hobo, have also taken part in the scheme, along with Habita, Domain and Reds Bar within Northumbria Students’ Union.
Staff have completed bystander
intervention training and the venues have a publicly available sexual harassment policy and a procedure for dealing with incidents.
The 11 venues are the first in the city to fulfil these new requirements, with all staff trained and certified for two years.
Ian Johnstone, general manager of Rusty’s and Blonde Barrel, said: “Being a part of the Shout-Up! campaign and completing the Shout-Up! training has strengthened our management and bar staff’s confidence in recognising potential cases of sexual harassment and understanding how to safely intervene and help in various situations where getting involved can sometimes be tricky.
“It has given us the knowledge to ensure that our venues are safe spaces for all staff and customers.”
The Newcastle venues will have visible signage explaining their participation in the scheme and what drinkers can expect to happen in the event of sexual harassment.
The bars will also be required to pass six-monthly reviews on policies, procedures, and training.