Staff at three of Bath’s most popular nightclubs have undertaken special training to ensure their customers enjoy a safe night out, free from harassment while in the city.
The ‘Bringing in the Bystander’ training was organised by the Student Community Partnership (SCP) and provided to staff at Komedia, Second Bridge and Moles.
The University of Bath’s Students’ Union’s Plug and Tub bar and nightclub staff, who already receive this training, are also a key part of the pilot.
The bystander intervention workshop taught the clubs’ staff to identify inappropriate behaviour, how to safely intervene, when it occurs and how to handle disclosures.
The training for the clubs has been developed as part of the wider #NeverOK campaign, run jointly by the University of Bath and its Students’ Union.
The SCP is a partnership between the Universities of Bath and Bath Spa, their student unions, Bath College and Bath & North East Somerset Council. It exists to promote harmonious relationships between students, residents and the wider community of Bath.
#NeverOK educates students and staff about unacceptable behaviours, empowers students to speak out when they see inappropriate behaviour and encourages students to speak to support services if they witness or experience harassment or assault.
Alisha Lobo, University of Bath Students’ Union Community Officer, said: “The bystander training approach used in the #NeverOK campaign recognises the communal responsibility that we have in addressing the issue of sexual violence in our society.
“The training works to encourage individuals to be prosocial bystanders; playing an active role in altering the course of events they witness for the better.
“The responsibility to prevent sexual violence does not lie with one individual or group but requires a cultural shift from us all.
“This move to expand the #NeverOK campaign into Bath night clubs is a move in the right direction and clear demonstration of collaborative work in our shared community between the locals and University to ensure the safety for all.”
Enya-Jayne Battersby, Bath Spa Students’ Union VP Community, added: “The SCP has formed really good relationships with the three partner clubs who took part in the bystander training, and we’re thankful to them for their enthusiasm and engagement with the campaign.
“We all want to enable our students to enjoy good, safe nights out, and look forward to continuing to raise awareness of the #NeverOk campaign in our community.”
Student Community Partnership Co-Ordinator, Kalyn Mallard, commented: “The SCP wants everyone in Bath to have a safe night out. The joint-working between all involved in these initiatives exemplifies its importance and we hope to see it expand across the city.”
