Scheme to help tackle sexual violence in clubs
A NEW initiative in Birmingham nightclubs has been launched to tackle sexual violence amid a rise in harassment and drink-spiking incidents.
Created by Birmingham City University (BCU) graduate Sam Hennerley and his business partner Jack Young, Safer Dance combines organisations who want to stop sexual harassment on nights out.
The UK-wide initiative has already been successfully piloted in three nightclubs in Birmingham, Liverpool and London.
After graduating from BCU, Mr Hennerley worked with music marketing consultant Mr Young, who had seen the “dark side of the music industry” in Ibiza, to develop the project.
They hope to change attitudes towards sexual harassment and misconduct in music spaces and, in turn, improve nightlife safety for everyone.
Mr Young said: “After living in Ibiza and travelling to festivals and events around the world I witnessed a dark side of the music industry relating to cases of sexual violence, security incompetence, blackmail and drug abuse.
“In coming back to the UK and starting my business I knew I wanted
to offer support where possible to help eradicate these issues. By ensuring venues have the correct mechanisms in place to best manage risk, music fan and clubber spaces can be safer and more enjoyable.’’
The pair collaborated with risk assurance consultants RSM UK, organisations such as RSVP and movements such as MeToo to make their initiative possible.
The new service, which was first outlined in Mr Hennerley’s university project, brands itself as a “holistic suite of tools that provide support, guidance and technology for venues to help reduce sexual harassment risks and ensure a safer environment for music fans and staff.”
The pair now plan to work closely with local authorities targeting geographical areas to improve overall nightlife safety, starting locally in the Midlands but expanding across the UK.
Paul Callum, associate director of risk assurance, RSM UK, added: “Managing sexual harassment can be challenging for venues, so having a risk management framework provides them, their staff and their customers with the confidence that they take safety seriously.”