By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services is seeking local bars to participate in the Safe Bars Alliance.
The free Safe Bars training helps bar staff to recognize signs of sexual harassment or predatory behavior, said Jennifer Hecker, Options executive director.
Some of those behaviors staff might notice could be unwanted advances, someone who did not come with a person following him or her outside of the establishment, and persistence after someone says "no" to advances.
Safe Bars trains bystanders on how to intervene safely without putting the person intervening at risk.
The training takes about an hour. Participating bars receive free posters and other promotional items.
At least 50 percent of sexual assaults are associated with alcohol use, according to several published research studies. Alcohol has especially been shown as a factor in sexual assaults among college students.
Options staff completed a three-day training with the national Safe Bars Alliance Association in November. However, no local bars or restaurants have yet signed up for the training.
Hecker said the pandemic and staff shortages are partially to blame for a slow program launch.
Options covers an 18-county region in northwest Kansas. The Safe Bar Alliance pilot program will be launched in cities that have colleges, including Hays, Colby and Goodland.
"We know once college starts, we are going to see an uptick, so we are trying to get in with the bar owners and provide that training," Hecker said. ..."We know bar owners don't want those things happening in their bars."
Alcohol does not cause sexual assault, rapist do, Hecker said. However, sexual predators often use alcohol as a weapon or tool to make their victims vulnerable, she said.
"If we can empower the people who own the bars and the people who work in the bars on how to keep their bar staff safe, spot predatory behavior and how to safely intervene," Hecker said, "that makes our community all the more safe."
Hecker said she believes patrons will appreciate bars that have staff who have been trained to watch for predatory behavior and how to respond to it safely.
Bar or restaurant owners or managers who would like to participate in the program can call Options at 785-625-4202 to sign up for the training. Hecker said Options can be flexible in setting a time and date for the training.