Bar staff in New South Wales will be given mandatory training on preventing sexual harassment and violence. The state government has added it to the course workers are required to complete to serve alcohol.
00:00In her 16 years in hospitality, Gem Williamson has seen a cultural change.
00:07The norm has definitely shifted and what was accepted before is definitely not accepted now.
00:14Nowadays, she says, the customer is not always right.
00:18You can't treat people the way that you did 40 years ago.
00:22It's not something that happens anymore. It's not acceptable anymore.
00:26You're not just a bartender anymore, you're a human being.
00:29Even so, advocates say unwelcome behaviour is still prevalent in bars and clubs.
00:34We've just seen new research in New South Wales highlighting that sexual assaults have been going up every year for the last decade.
00:43We know we've got a problem and the nightlife is a place where we can really make a difference.
00:49Skills to help staff respond to and prevent sexual violence and harassment have been added to the state's responsible service of alcohol training program.
00:57Ways they can gently intervene to de-escalate situations or to keep an eye out for certain behaviours that we really don't want across our venues.
01:06Workers must complete the course every five years.
01:09This will be a mandatory part of the training going forward so it's strengthening the training as it goes forward so it will take time to roll out.
01:16The new training follows changes to RSA guidelines last year including adding a section on steps bar staff can take to prevent the spiking of drinks.
01:26We've got safety in mind for workers, safety in mind for patrons and safety in mind for business owners.
01:31This is a really important step and something that's very welcomed by industry.
01:35A move to make venues more comfortable for everyone.
01:37A move to make venues more comfortable for everyone.
01:42a trackpad of a group as well.
01:43Why did you just help us walk and walk rainbow like to get away for everyone.
