The United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) announces that it will work with Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS) and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) to support a series of industry virtual trainings on workplace harassment to be conducted by RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. The goal of the trainings is to provide professionals working in the alcohol beverage industry with trauma-informed education to increase awareness around sexual misconduct and strategies for prevention.
Trainings will kick off in February and continue through May. All six training dates can be found on the WOTVS Registration home page. Each level of the training will be open to the industry.
Level 1: Sexual Misconduct Prevention & Response
In this 90-minute session, RAINN will begin with exploring the complexities of sexual misconduct and how common misconceptions play a role in the experiences of survivors. Participants will deepen their understanding of the link between power dynamics and common responses to trauma. With this foundational knowledge, participants will learn skills and strategies for creating safe, supportive communities. These strategies will include practical tools for setting and protecting boundaries, intervening in potentially unsafe or uncomfortable situations, and supporting survivors in sensitive, trauma-informed ways.
Level 2: Strategies for Creating Safer, Healthier Communities
Building upon the education and skills learned in RAINN’s Level 1 Training, this 90-minute session will be a deeper dive into understanding the complexities of sexual misconduct, including recognizing pervasive myths and misconceptions as well as understanding how our own biases influence our responses. In this interactive, skills-based session, participants will deepen their understanding of how to create safer, supportive communities through the application of strategies around boundary-setting, bystander intervention, and community conversations, and how to promote community-wide change through a trauma-informed framework.
Participants will receive a resource guide that bridges the gap between the concepts discussed and actionable skills specific to roles of prevention and response.
Said USBG Executive Director Aaron Gregory Smith, “The USBG is committed to making our industry safe and inclusive for everyone. Part of that is amplifying the educational tools that help build skills for recognizing, responding to, and preventing sexual misconduct. We will never stop working with industry leaders like WOTVS and DISCUS toward the goal of mitigating harassment from the workplace.”
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, the National Sexual Assault Hotline provides free, anonymous 24/7 support via phone at 800.656.4673 or chat via the online hotline. RAINN’s website also provides information on supporting loved ones who are survivors, helping yourself heal if you’ve been directly affected by sexual violence, and how to be part of creating safer communities.
