Campaign to drive late-night premises to tackle sexual harassment

The 'Reframe the Night' campaign, led by Hackney Council, the City of London Corporation and Good Night Out, will see posters displayed in pubs, clubs, bars, and cafés, promoting a safer night time environment and information on how to report harassment and seek support if you have been affected.

It aims to encourage residents, visitors and late-night premises in Hackney and the City of London to clamp down on sexual harassment and challenge common myths about harassment in night time spaces.

Good Night Out Campaign managing director Bryony Beynon said: “There are many myths surrounding sexual harassment in nightlife, which all-too-often place the blame on the person who has been targeted, not the person choosing to harass or assault them.

“We know from training hundreds of licensed premises that creating a culture of belief, support and accountability is paramount for prevention.”

Sexual Harassment in venues

The organisation, which works with bars, clubs and student unions to help them better understand and respond to sexual harassment in their venues.

Benyon continued: “Through this partnership with Hackney Council and City of London Corporation, we are supporting education and skills across local nightlife, encouraging the industry and the public to “reframe” these damaging ideas.

“As part of this campaign, we will train more local venues to help them better tackle and respond to unwanted sexual behaviour in their spaces.

“When we upskill staff and replace myths with reality, we create safer nightlife spaces for everyone.”

The campaign will encourage a more inclusive night time economy, while at the same time having a robust and targeted police and council presence on the streets.

Focused training

It will also include focused training and resources for venues and wide-ranging, inclusive public awareness campaigns which will center on developing a safer night time economy.

Venues who sign up to Hackney Council’s new night time safety charter, Hackney Nights, will receive a campaign toolkit and specialist training from Good Night Out.

The City of London Corporation’s Safer City Partnerships’ Strategy Group chairman Doug Barrow said: “Sexual harassment is completely unacceptable in the City or anywhere else. It has a profound impact on the victim, affecting every aspect of their life.

“Many people affected by sexual violence blame themselves and question whether they could have done something differently to prevent the incident from occurring.

These views are reinforced within society by myths and beliefs about sexual harassment. Reframe the Night aims to challenge these myths and beliefs, putting the blame and responsibility back on the perpetrator, not the victim.”