By ANTHONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
A local non-profit and a local bar are partnering to bring awareness to the role alcohol can play in rape.
Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services and the Sip'N' Spin in Hays are sponsoring the second-annual Rock Against Rape at 8 p.m. Saturday at the bar, 209 W. 10th in Hays.
The event will be open to anyone 18 and older. It will be 18 to enter and 21 to drink alcohol. Although last year many younger people enjoyed the event, some ladies in their 70s also attended.
The cover charge will be $5 for those 21 and older and $10 for those younger than 21. The majority of the proceeds from the cover charge will be donated back to Options, according to a representative of the bar.
The event will feature bands Parl, Free Minded, Cactus Collateral, Kuwabara and What Remains. All of the bands are from northwest Kansas, which is Options' service area, said Aniston Weber, Options campus advocate.
The bands all fit into the rock genre but will bring a diverse offering to the event, including rock/rap, pop and metal. What Remains is an eighties cover band.
The event will help advertise Options' Safe Bar training. The free 45-minute training helps bar employees, and owners recognize signs a predator may be trying to use drugs or alcohol to take sexual advantage of someone.
Workers learn how to safely intervene, and Options helps bar owners identify dark places or corners that predators may take advantage of in their establishments.
"No matter how much you drink, no one deserves to be sexually assaulted," Weber said. "Alcohol is not the cause of rape. Rapists are the cause of rape."
Jennifer Hekcer, Options executive director, said several area bars have taken advantage of the Safe Bar Training. However, she acknowledged turnover tends to be high in the industry.
She said the Options staff member are happy to present the training again for free to any establishment.
"It's a great training and also trains the bar staff on how to protect themselves from sexual harassment and unwanted sexual advances from customers. We know bar owners don't want people to be hurt in their bars," Hecker said.
Hecker said the training helps bar staff and owners keep rapists from weaponizing alcohol.
"Bars are a big part of a community," Hecker said. "It's where we go to celebrate. It's where we go to mourn. It's where we go to have fun and to connect. Rapists aren't welcome in those places."
Hecker said as long as the community does not shine a light on the issue, sexual assaults will continue.
"We have to talk about it in the light of day or in the light of the bar," Hecker said. "We need to destigmatize talking about sexual assault."
Weber, who often works with students, said Hays is known for its drinking culture, particularly on campuses.
"People are going to use the means they have to assault people if that is what their prerogative is, and I think making sure we stand firm against that is important."
Hecker encouraged bystanders if they see something to say something.
Event T-shirts are for sale now through Wednesday. You can order at rockagainstrape.itemorder.com. There won't be T-shirts to buy at the event, but organizers will have a QR code so you can order one with your smartphone. The T-shirts will cost $15. You also can order long-sleeve T-shirts and hoodies. See the link for pricing.
If you are a survivor of sexual assault and need help, you can reach an advocate through Options through its text, chat or phone hotlines. Text the word "Hope" to 847411.
The 24-hour phone helpline is 1-800-794-4624. The chat and other information can be accessed on the Options website at help4abuse.org. All of the helplines and chats are manned 24/7, 365 days a year. All services are free and confidential.
The agency also has a mobile unit that travels throughout its 18-county catchment area. Contact Options through one of the means above to learn more.
Cover photo courtesy of Pixabay.