The purpose of the Safer Bars program is to help mitigate negative behaviors before they happen, within our community, as it relates to nightlife and the bar scene in the Hudson Valley. Statistically, the occurrence of aggressiveness increases within nightlife due to factors such as alcohol consumption. Our goal is to understand risk factors and increase protective factors
through the help of partnerships, policy work, environmental impacts, and evidence-based interventions.
Ability to work together to help understand individual level capacity as well as opportunities to work together within the nightlife community to prevent sexual violence.
Our trained educators implement the Safer Bars curriculum that educates bar staff on positive bystander skill building to reduce sexual aggression in alcohol-serving establishments.
Working with bar managers and staff to review environmental impacts (both internal and external) and ways to help address certain barriers.
Reviewing current house policies and bar handbook in order to best support staff and patrons regarding what is acceptable and action steps to take.
Safer Bars is an evidence-based curriculum designed to train bar staff to recognize and respond to sexual aggression before it escalates. This program entails two free 2.5 hour sessions over two to four weeks at a time, at the location of your choice, which at least 70% of your bar staff must attend in order to become an official Safer Bar. Our training is customized to your staff, business, and culture. We will build on your staff’s skills to create a safer and more welcoming environment for all.
These Hudson Valley bars and restaurants have made the commitment to creating safer spaces for patrons to enjoy. They have undergone specific training and achieved certification as a Hudson Valley Safer Bar.
There are numerous reasons including:
Safer Bars is free to bars in Dutchess, Westchester, and Orange Counties.
At your convenience. We conduct two, 2.5-hour sessions over two to four weeks at a time that works best for you and your staff.
We come to you, either at your establishment or a location of your choosing.
To be designated as a Hudson Valley Safer Bar, 70% or more of all bar staff must attend and complete the training curriculum. All bars must post materials in the bar identifying the establishment as a program participant, including posters to notify customers they can reach out to staff for help. We ask all bars participate in one community activity per year, such as hosting a Hudson Valley Safer Bars night or attending, sponsoring, or promoting another community event.
Interested in learning more or becoming a certified Hudson Valley Safer Bar? Complete the form below and we’ll be in touch soon.
29 N Hamilton St
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
845.452.1110
familyservicesny.org
2 Westchester Plaza, Suite 137
Elmsford, NY 10520
914.592.5600
westcop.org
73 James P. Kelly Way
Middletown, NY 10940
845.342.2400
www.mhaorangeny.com
Family Services, Inc.
29 N Hamilton St
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
845.452.1110
familyservicesny.org
Funded in Part By
This publication was supported by funding from Health Research Inc. (HRI) and New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Division of Family Health by Cooperative Agreement Number, 5 NUF2CE002460-04-00, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of HRI, NYSDOH, CDC or the Department of Health and Human Services.
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