Safe Bars

Welcome to the Gem City! Gem City Safe Bars uses innovative bystander education strategies to empower Dayton-area bar staff to stand up against sexual harassment and assault. Become a leader in your industry and be known for actively reducing the risk of sexual harassment and assault in Dayton by becoming a certified safe bar.

Safe Bars:

Increases bar staff understanding of how common unwanted sexual aggression is and why it happens
Helps staff to identify harassment and other inappropriate behaviors
Helps staff to recognize and respond to problematic and abusive behaviors by safely and effectively intervening
Shares with bar patrons safety message that encourage respect and lets customers know that bar staff are available for help
Promote a culture of respect, safety & support for all

Owners and Managers, What is in it for YOU?

Bars, clubs, and restaurants trained by Gem City Safe Bars reap many benefits.

Promotion

Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio promotes our certified safe bars on our website and social media outlets. We will also provide your establishment with a certified Safe Bar window decal to enhance your bar’s image as a welcoming place.

Customer & Staff Satisfaction

As a safe bar, you actively show your customers and staff your commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment.

Staff Preparedness

As a safe barrier staff has a greater range of strategies to use in addressing unwanted sexual aggression directed at themselves or at patrons. With staff more able to notice and deal with problems early, sexual aggression can be stopped before getting to the point where you need to file an incident report.

A Better Bottom Line

Customers who have positive experiences are more likely to return and to tell their friends. On the other hand, even one patron who has a bad experience and leaves with their friends can cost $1,000 in lost tabs over a year. Also, as a safe bar, you can prevent the bad press that comes with an incident – which can be devastating to YOUR Business and YOUR Bottom Line!

It’s easy! Safe Bars is a staff training that you don’t have to plan or present. Planned Parenthood and YWCA Dayton staff facilitate a conversation among your staff about which behaviors are okay and which are not, laying the groundwork for a formal or informal policy.

All of our trainings are customized to fit your staff, your business, and its culture. We don’t tell your staff what to do; rather, we build on their skills to create a safer and more welcoming establishment.

Does it work?

Gem City Safe Bars builds on the success of similar programs in Washington DC, Arizona and Boston. Research shows that bartenders, bar staff, and young adults who patronize bars are key groups to address in preventing sexual violence. Read success stories from real people from across the country by visiting Safe Bars: In the News

Join us!

If you work at or own a bar, club, restaurant, or other alcohol-serving establishment in Dayton, OH and would like to become a Certified SAFE BAR our team would be happy to work with you and your staff. For more information or to schedule a training, complete the on-line Program Request Form.

Contact Information

Sarah Dahlston, Director of Education
937-528-4662

Request Information

This program is presented by Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio and YWCA Dayton.