Looking for a night out? Here’s how to stay safe and have fun in Sacramento’s clubs and bars
Sacramento’s bar and club scene continues to grow each year, attracting more young residents seeking a fun night out.
But while going out, there is a risk.
Reported sexual assaults in Sacramento occur at the same rate year round non-stop, said Beth Hassett, the chief executive of WEAVE. When it comes to violence in bars and restaurants, it’s not uncommon that college-aged adults are targeted, especially when alcohol is involved.
“There used to be seasons more than there are now. Now, it’s just all the time,” Hassett said “In the summertime, we definitely see an uptick because people are out and about more, and out later because it’s light out later. But frankly, it’s just non-stop in general, let alone with bars and restaurants. It’s very disheartening.”
The Sacramento Bee spoke with representatives from WEAVE and the city of Sacramento’s nighttime economy about best practices on staying safe.
“The responsibility of a sexual assault always lies on the perpetrator of it. However, we can also find ways to protect ourselves and our friends,” Hassett said.
Safety tips and red flags to recognize
According to WEAVE, at least 50% of sexual assaults against college students involve alcohol. The same study found that 90% of sexual assaults perpetrated by an acquaintance involve alcohol.
Alcohol can become a facilitating factor for someone trying to assault another person, Hassett said.
She added that some predatory behaviors include trying to get someone drunk by ordering them high alcohol content drinks, pressuring them into drinking or ordering a drink a person may not realize how much alcohol it contains. Sometimes these perpetrators are older people preying on younger and less experienced drinkers.
Hassett recommended bar and club patrons stay in groups and get their own drinks or have someone accompany them.
“The responsibility of a sexual assault always lies on the perpetrator of it. However, we can also find ways to protect ourselves and our friends,” Hassett said.
She advised individuals be cautious of other predatory behaviors, like:
▪ Being pressured into consuming alcohol quickly (for example, encouraging shots, ordering doubles and drinks with high alcohol content).
▪ Trying to isolate a potential victim from their group of friends.
▪ Attempting to take a potential victim over to a table, away from people who might notice what’s going on.
▪ Having drinks brought to you. These drinks could have a higher alcohol content or being drugged.
Tina Lee-Vogt, nighttime economy manager for the city of Sacramento, recommends patrons know their limit, to drink responsibility and stay hydrated. She said to never leave your drink unattended and have a designated safe and sober driver. It’s also best to go out in groups and make sure everyone is accounted for by the end of the night.
She advised people be aware of their surroundings and take appropriate safety precautions. Having a transportation plan, always sharing your location and utilizing a buddy system can also help make a fun night out safe.
“If you feel uncomfortable in some space, make sure that you let someone know,” Lee-Vogt said.
The city of Sacramento’s Office of Nighttime Economy, which works on initiatives to make Sacramento’s nightlife safe, will also release their “Know Before You Go” campaign, which has a list of safety tips and resources.
What can bars and restaurants do?
Both WEAVE and the city of Sacramento have offers training for establishments on prevention efforts.
WEAVE offers training through its Safe Night Out program, where restaurants and bars are taught to recognize warning signs to sexual assault. Bartenders and servers learn how to recognize predatory behaviors, Hassett said.
“We talk about how to engage with the person who seems to be the targeted victim and make sure they’re doing okay,” Hassett said. “(We teach) them how to separate them from that person, offer the (targeted victim) a ride home if they seem intoxicated, and also have signage and messaging within the establishment.”
WEAVE offers posters for establishments to place in bathrooms, that encourage patrons to talk to staff if they’re feeling unsafe. These posters include support and information lines to WEAVE. The non-profit’s 24/7 support and information line can reached at 916-920-2952.
The city of Sacramento will also offer a free training known as “Pubs, clubs and bars” where the city’s police and fire code enforcement on prevention efforts. Police will work with an establishment’s security staff. The city’s police team that is dedicated to just nighttime safety will also provide de-escalation training.
“It’s teaching them how to be an active bystander,” Lee-Vogt said. “A lot of times people may see something, but they’re not really not sure what the tools are.”
The National Sexual Assault Hotline provides confidential assistance to anyone affected by sexual assault through a live chat and a free 24-hour hotline: 800-656-4673.
This story was originally published August 14, 2024 at 7:00 AM.
