Last Updated on: 9th July 2024, 06:47 pm
Shout-Up!, an initiative designed to eliminate sexual harassment in bars, pubs, clubs, and licensed venues, has successfully trained 210 staff members across 18 venues in Torquay and Paignton.
Funded by Torbay Council as part of its Safer Streets initiative, the programme collaborates with licensed premises to enhance safety by training staff to safely intervene in incidents of sexual harassment. Research shows that 90% of people would feel safer or happier in a bar, pub, or club whose staff had undergone Shout-Up! training.
The most recent venues to receive certification are all part of South Devon’s East Street Pub Group. This group has certified all its venues in the Torquay and Paignton area, with 62 staff members trained.
The Harbour Inn, Queen Victoria, and The Hyde Dendy are the latest to achieve certification, following VIVA, which received the accolade earlier this year.
“We’re proud to be a Shout-Up! venue,” said Courtney Ross, manager at The Harbour Inn. “We believe there should be a safe space for all, free from uncomfortable conversations, situations, and discrimination.”
To achieve certification as a Shout-Up! venue, premises must have all staff complete Bystander Intervention Training delivered by experts from Devon Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Services, develop and share sexual harassment policies to protect staff and patrons, and have a publicly available procedure for addressing incidents of sexual harassment. Furthermore, they must commit to maintaining their venue as a sexual harassment-free zone, display visible signage detailing their participation in the scheme and the expected responses to sexual harassment, and conduct six-monthly reviews of policies, procedures, and training to retain certification.
Councillor Hayley Tranter, Torbay Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, said: “This certification reflects the group’s commitment to creating safe, inclusive environments for patrons, ensuring everyone can enjoy their time without fear of harassment. It’s great to see the team at East Street Pub Group embracing this initiative.
“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved with the Torbay Shout-Up! programme in such a short timeframe – over 200 staff members trained in just six months shows the commitment of our licence holders to make nights out better and safer. I congratulate everyone who has participated and achieved their certification.”
The Shout-Up! programme will continue in Torbay for the remainder of 2024, and interested venues are encouraged to apply by visiting www.shoutup.org/torbay.
