ANTI-SEXUAL HARASSMENT TRAINING

In Early 2022, Bristol City Centre BID were tasked by Bristol City Council to facilitate anti-sexual harassment training to improve the safety of women at night. This was funded by a grant from the Home Office that was set up following the death of Sarah Everard.

The anti-sexual harassment training was aimed at all those employed by the night-time economy such as venue bar and management staff, security, performers, and promotors.

18 trainers who work in or are involved with the night-time economy were selected to deliver the training. They first attended a “train the trainer” session, run by Joanne Cox-Brown from Night Time Economy Solutions Ltd who also developed the training program.

Over the course of a busy 3-week period in March 2022, 36 training sessions were held. Staff from a total of 106 different organisations, including venues, pubs, bars, event management companies and charities attended. Specific online sessions were also held for promoters and security staff.

The funding came with an overarching aim to deliver the training to 20 late night bars, 20 venues and to hold 2 sessions for people who are “unconnected to premises”. This aim was exceeded.

In August-November 2022 we continued to offer the training monthly to venues as refresher sessions or for new staff. We focused on these months due to the return of Students to the city in September, and the lead up to the busy Christmas period.

To date we have trained:

• 473 individuals
• 110 venues
• In 47 sessions over 2022

Plans are underway to ensure this training is ongoing to align with the wider goal to improve the safety of Bristol and to support businesses in ensuing that Bristol continues to be a safe place for anyone to visit at day or night.