Training program for bar staff could help prevent sexual assaults, says lawyer

A lawyer in St. John's is spearheading a new program that would provide training to staff and bartenders, aimed at making people safer in bars.

Lynn Moore says too many people are getting slipped "date rape" drugs while drinking in clubs, and then are sexually assaulted. 

Moore says the ideal program would teach staff how to recognize when a patron may have been slipped a drug.

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"I'm sure you've heard of people being cut off at a bar because they're too intoxicated, so what I was hoping was that we could expand that so that bar owners and bar staff are trained in the date rape drug and also trained in the area of sexual violence and sexual harassment," Moore told CBC's St. John's Morning Show.

Bar owners want people to go out and have a good time, they don't want people to be victimized in their clubs.- Lynn Moore

"If they see something going on, they'll intervene and stop it. Or they may just simply offer assistance to someone, like do you need any help getting home."

Moore said she would like to see this new training program for bar staff be made a condition of having a liquor licence.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation says currently, establishments and bar workers can access an optional program for alcohol service in the tourism and hospitality industry through Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador.

Avoiding further victims

According to Moore, data from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary shows in the last five years, 15 people have reported to police being sexually assaulted after having been in a licenced establishment where they suspected drug involvement.

Those numbers don't include people who haven't reported a sexual assault, Moore added.

"It doesn't really matter what is the intoxicant that makes you unable to protect yourself or unaware. There are a lot of articles which talk about alcohol as being the biggest date rape drug, or the most common date rape drug that there is," said Moore.

"[The training program] would involve both, a combination of both, but with a particular emphasis on the date rape drug because it's so sudden and so difficult to protect yourself."

Moore said she is reviewing the NLC's current training documents, and the NLC will get in touch with the George Street Association to let them know this is in the works.

"Bar owners want people to go out and have a good time, they don't want people to be victimized in their clubs."