Sacramento bars and nightclubs take steps to stop sexual harassment and assaults

Establishments will soon be required to keep testing kits that patrons can use to make sure no one drugged their drink

Establishments will soon be required to keep testing kits that patrons can use to make sure no one drugged their drink

INFORMATION ON WHERE TO GET HELP. FROM STAFF TRAINING TO TESTS ON DRINKS, SACRAMENTO BARS ARE TAKING STEPS TO STOP SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND ASSAULTS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE SAFE TO COME TO OUR PLACE AND OUR ESTABLISHMENT, MARCOS MOSHINSKY, WHO MANAGES THREE BARS IN THE LAVENDER HEIGHTS DISTRICT, SAYS A BIG STEP IS MAKING EMPLOYEES AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE A LEAD GUARD THAT COMES AROUND AND HELPS TRAIN US IN ALL DE-ESCALATION TECHNIQUES, ALL HARASSMENT TECHNIQUES. MORE THAN 30 SACRAMENTO BARS HAVE COMPLETED THE SAFE NIGHT OUT PROGRAM, OFFERED BY THE CITY, WHERE BAR OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES LEARNED THE SIGNS AND HOW TO RESPOND TO SEXUAL VIOLENCE. EVERYONE WANTS TO BE AWARE OF THAT, AND IF ANYONE EVER COMES UP, IT’S SOMETHING WE’RE ALL ALREADY PAYING ATTENTION TO. IN ADDITION, MOSHINSKY SAYS THEY’RE ALREADY WORKING TO MEET THE NEW STATE LAW THAT WILL REQUIRE CERTAIN BARS AND NIGHTCLUBS TO OFFER TESTING KITS THAT PEOPLE CAN USE TO MAKE SURE NO ONE DRUGGED THEIR DRINK. THESE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT LOW OR NO COST. STARTING IN JULY. WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE THEM COMING IN AND IT’S GOING TO BE KIND OF EXCITING, SO WE KNOW THAT WHENEVER PEOPLE FEEL THAT THEY HAVE FELT LIKE THEY GOT DRUGGED OR WHATNOT, WE HAVE THE SAFETY MEASURES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PROVIDING THE RIGHT STEPS FOR THEM TO BE CAUTIOUS AND HELP HELP THEM OUT. A STEP PEOPLE TELL US WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE. I THINK THAT’S AWESOME BECAUSE IT HOLDS THE ESTABLISHMENT ACCOUNTABLE AND THEN IT HOLDS THE PEOPLE AROUND THEM ACCOUNTABLE. THAT REALLY SHOWS LIKE THEY’RE REALLY TAKING INITIATIVE FOR YOUNGER PEOPLE WHO YOU KNOW, NEED THE PROTECTION. YOU NEED SAFEGUARDS. HOLBERT SAYS SHE’S GLAD THE ISSUE IS BEING ADDRESSED AND HOPES IT MAKES HAVING A NIGHT OUT SAFER FOR EVERYONE. THE MORE PEOPLE THAT CAN BE ADVOCATES AND HAVE A VOICE FOR PEOPLE THAT MIGHT BE AFRAID TO SPEAK UP. THE MORE THAT WE CAN KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE AND THE NEW STATE LAW WILL ALSO REQUIRE ESTABLISHMENTS TO HAVE SIGNS INDICATING THAT THE TEST KITS ARE AVAILABLE. ANY BUSINESS THAT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE LAW CAN FACE ACTION THAT CAN IMPACT THEIR LICENSE. LIVE IN TH

Sacramento bars and nightclubs take steps to stop sexual harassment and assaults

Establishments will soon be required to keep testing kits that patrons can use to make sure no one drugged their drink

From staff training to tests on drinks, Sacramento bars and nightclubs are taking measures to stop sexual harassment and assaults. Marcus Mosinke manages three bars in the Lavender Heights District. Mosinke said making employees aware of the problem is a big step toward combating sexual violence. "We have a lead guard that comes around and helps train us in all de-escalation techniques, all harassment techniques," said Mosinke. More than 30 Sacramento bars have completed the Safe Night Out program offered by the city and the non-profit organization WEAVE. The free two-hour training class teaches bar staff about how to recognize warning signs of sexual and domestic violence, and how to respond in order to keep establishments safe.Those who complete the training also get a poster to display in their restrooms with information on how and where people can get help. "Everyone wants to be aware of that,” said bar manager Jarrett Derfield. “If anyone ever comes up, it's something we are all already paying attention to."In addition, many of the bars are already working to meet the new state law that will require establishments with a Type 48 license from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to keep testing kits that patrons can use to make sure no one drugged their drink. Those kits will be available at low or no cost starting in July. “We have them coming in,” said Mosinke. “If it’s going to get here before we’ll go with it and if not we definitely want to be ready by July.”The new state law will also require establishments to have signs indicating the test kits are available. Any business that does not comply with the law can face actions that could impact their license.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

From staff training to tests on drinks, Sacramento bars and nightclubs are taking measures to stop sexual harassment and assaults.

Marcus Mosinke manages three bars in the Lavender Heights District. Mosinke said making employees aware of the problem is a big step toward combating sexual violence.

"We have a lead guard that comes around and helps train us in all de-escalation techniques, all harassment techniques," said Mosinke.

More than 30 Sacramento bars have completed the Safe Night Out program offered by the city and the non-profit organization WEAVE.

The free two-hour training class teaches bar staff about how to recognize warning signs of sexual and domestic violence, and how to respond in order to keep establishments safe.

Those who complete the training also get a poster to display in their restrooms with information on how and where people can get help.

"Everyone wants to be aware of that,” said bar manager Jarrett Derfield. “If anyone ever comes up, it's something we are all already paying attention to."

In addition, many of the bars are already working to meet the new state law that will require establishments with a Type 48 license from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to keep testing kits that patrons can use to make sure no one drugged their drink.

Those kits will be available at low or no cost starting in July.

“We have them coming in,” said Mosinke. “If it’s going to get here before we’ll go with it and if not we definitely want to be ready by July.”

The new state law will also require establishments to have signs indicating the test kits are available.

Any business that does not comply with the law can face actions that could impact their license.

Sacramento bars and nightclubs take steps to stop sexual harassment and assaults

Establishments will soon be required to keep testing kits that patrons can use to make sure no one drugged their drink

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