Preventing sexual violence against women in nightlife
In light of the International Day to end Violence Against Women and Girls, which is observed every year on November 25th, I wanted to draw attention to sexual violence against women in nightlife.
The impact of such violence is multifaceted, tainting many areas of life and often leading to lifelong personal and professional issues.
In this article, we’ll cover the impact of sexual violence in nightlife on women, explore what the night time economy can do to contribute to creating an environment where sexual violence is less tolerated, survivors are better supported, and perpetrators are held accountable.
How often does sexual violence against women in nightlife occur?
The answer is, way too often. But for those of you who are in doubt - and unfortunately many people (especially men) still are, the numbers don’t lie.
According to “Evaluation of the good night out campaign: a sexual violence bystander training programme for nightlife workers in England” by Zara Quigg, Kim Ross-Houle, Charlotte Bigland & Rebecca Bates, over half (57.9%) of participants reported that they had been a victim of sexual violence whilst in nightlife in their lifetime (48.6% of them men and 51.4% of them women). 55.6% of women experienced this whilst on a night out and 57.6% of women whilst working.
An international study of street sexual harassment in 22 countries reports that 50% of women have been fondled or groped and more than 81.5% of women have been harassed before the age of 17 (Hollaback, 2014).
Sexual violence at festivals is getting increased attention as well. For example, in 2016 and 2017, a spate of rapes and sexual assaults of women at Bravalla, a Swedish festival, were reported, which led to the cancelation of the event in 2018 until men could “learn to behave themselves” (O’Connor, 2017).
While having data is insightful and essential to understanding the scope of the issue and to create appropriate responses and strategies, we must realise that the majority of sexual violence cases in nightlife (and in general) go unreported. So these numbers only reflect the tip of the iceberg.
What is impact of sexual violence against women in nightlife?
This insidious problem not only inflicts immediate harm but also leaves lasting scars on the psychological, economic, and social well-being of its victims.
Psychological Impact
Sexual violence in nightlife settings can have profound and enduring psychological consequences for the survivors. The violation of your personal boundaries and the betrayal of trust often result in feelings of shame, guilt, and fear. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common aftermath, manifesting in intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and hypervigilance. Survivors may experience a diminished sense of self-worth, struggling with issues of intimacy and trust in subsequent relationships. Depression and anxiety are frequent outcomes for those who have endured such traumatic events, negatively affecting their mental health for years to come.
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Economic Impact
Beyond the immediate trauma, sexual violence can have a significant economic impact on survivors. Many victims, overwhelmed by the aftermath of the assault, find it challenging to maintain their employment or pursue educational opportunities due to the negative impact psychologically. The resulting financial instability can perpetuate a cycle of dependence, hindering the survivor's ability to regain control over their lives. Additionally, some survivors may face discrimination and stigma in the workplace or academic settings, exacerbating the economic challenges they encounter as they attempt to rebuild their lives.
Social Impact
Sexual violence in nightlife not only affects individuals but also has a broader impact on the fabric of society. The fear of assault can deter women from participating in nightlife activities altogether, limiting their access to social spaces and hindering their ability to engage in professional networking or personal development.
Women often have to plan for a safe return home before even going out. Doubts arise about which route is the safest, whether or not a taxi ride would be a good idea when you're on your own and public transportation presents its own set of challenges.
This fear is a form of gender-based social control that restricts women's freedom and reinforces harmful stereotypes about their vulnerability. The normalization of such violence perpetuates a culture of silence, where survivors may hesitate to report incidents due to societal disbelief or victim-blaming attitudes. This silence fosters an environment where perpetrators act with impunity, further perpetuating the cycle of abuse.
Preventing sexual violence against women in nightlife
Addressing sexual violence in nightlife requires a multifaceted approach. Firstly, there must be a concerted effort to challenge and change the cultural norms that contribute to the perpetuation of such violence. Education campaigns, both within nightlife establishments and in broader society, are crucial in raising awareness about consent, bystander intervention, and the importance of creating safe spaces for all individuals.
Moreover, the legal system must be equipped to handle cases of sexual violence effectively. Law enforcement agencies need specialized training to handle these delicate situations with sensitivity, and legal frameworks should be continuously refined to ensure justice is served. Nightlife venues also play a crucial role by implementing and enforcing policies that prioritize the safety and well-being of patrons, including training staff to identify and respond to potential incidents.
Experiencing, or the fear of experiencing, sexual violence in nightlife may also affect the night-time economy, as patrons may be deterred from visiting nightlife venues (Hardcastle, Hughes, & Quigg, 2015)
So it is not only your duty of care that should be the driving force behind contributing to preventing sexual violence against women in the night time economy, but your business can also benefit from it. Let’s look at a few ways you can aid in preventing sexual violence against women in nightlife.
Get clear on what sexual violence is
I believe it is sort of a natural reflex to avoid what we don’t understand. Many women I’ve encountered in my private coaching practice and who’ve been a victim to sexual violence often are unsure as to how sexual violence is defined. And the same often goes for those in the victim’s inner circle.
The World Health Organization defines sexual violence as: “any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic, or otherwise directed, against a person's sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting, including but not limited to home and work” (World Health Organisation, 9 March 2021)
Whilst I like looking at definition with a critical eye, I do find them to be a helpful framework for having conversations about things like rape, assault, harassment, consent, and so on. It aids in better understanding what has happened as well as discussing this with caregivers and loved ones. Being informed helps to increase not only your own resiliency but also that of a group. This is particularly vital for victims in receiving support from their direct environment.
Speak up and become an ally
Build the courage to speak about sexual violence in nightlife. It’s not because it doesn’t happen to you or you don’t see it happen often, that the issue doesn’t exist. Many people suffer in silence in part because they fear people won’t believe them, or will judge. Normalising the conversation around the topic of sexual violence is imperative to prevention of sexual violence against women and for safeguarding women in nightlife.
“Seek first to understand, then to be understood”
Active listening
Active listening is a cornerstone of effective communication, fostering understanding, empathy, and meaningful connections. Active listening goes beyond merely hearing words. It involves giving your full attention to the person speaking, processing the message by paraphrasing or asking to clarify if or when needed, and then thoughtfully responding accordingly. By engaging in active listening, individuals demonstrate respect for the speaker, validating their experiences and perspectives without judgment.
Active listening is a catalyst for problem-solving and conflict resolution, as it enables a comprehensive understanding of different viewpoints. It deepens connections, reducing misunderstandings and fostering a sense of shared humanity.
Oftentimes, the best way to support a person is by simply offering them your complete presence and undivided attention.
Bystander training
Learn the tools and resources to know what to do when sexual violence against women in nightlife occurs. Bystander training is an extremely effective way to do that. You learn how to safely intervene when you are witnessing an event of sexual violence, how to spot the signs and what to do to support the victim as well as the perpetrator.
Being trained increases the confidence to intervene. However, this does not necessarily change the readiness to intervene because this requires believing sexual violence against women in nightlife is a real problem. And readiness to intervene is also affected by the number of people who are present. The more people, the less likely someone is to take action and help a person in distress, which is also known as the bystander effect. More awareness campaigns and education about this topic are needed.
Educating people and raising awareness
Awareness campaigns about sexual violence against women in nightlife are vital for dismantling the culture of silence, dispelling myths, empowering bystanders, supporting survivors, and driving systemic changes. They play a pivotal role in creating safer, more inclusive spaces and fostering a society that unequivocally condemns and addresses sexual violence.
In conclusion, it is clear that, longer term, nightlife needs studies which directly explore consequences in low, middle and high-income countries to provide helpful data for the development of prevention and safeguarding programmes, as well as more studies to evaluate current prevention and response approaches. Not to mention research into the impact and consequences of violence on women’s lives.
Short term, night time economy businesses already have a variety of options at their disposal to start or to continue integrating and improving their safeguarding and prevention practices thanks to companies and non-profit organisations that offer anti-sexual harassment services, tools and resources.
The impact of sexual violence against women in nightlife ripples out far beyond the immediate event, reaching into the very fabric of survivors' lives and the broader society. Addressing this issue requires a collective commitment to challenging cultural norms, educating communities, and implementing robust legal and institutional frameworks to ensure that nightlife can be a safe space for everyone to enjoy.
Do you have any useful resources to share on the prevention of violence against women in nightlife? Comment below!
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