Safer Drinking Spaces Study

Summary

The goal of this study is to evaluate the active bystander training provided by Safe Bars, Inc. and their local chapter organizations to staff at alcohol-serving establishments (e.g., bars). The training aims to improve norms about violence, create safer environments by teaching staff to intervene in potentially harmful situations, and help prevent sexual violence in the venue community. The study will examine the implementation and effectiveness of the training. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Do staff and patrons at venues that have received Safe Bars training experience lower rates of sexual violence at the venue than staff and patrons at venues that have not received the training?
2. Are staff at venues that have received Safe Bars training more likely to intervene in potentially risky situations than staff at venues that have not received the training?
3. What characteristics of venue environments and staff and patron beliefs and perceptions are responsible for effects of the training on sexual violence and bystander behavior outcomes?
4. What characteristics and conditions are necessary for effective Safe Bars implementation and improved staff and patron outcomes?

Researchers will compare staff and patron experiences at venues that have received the training with venues that are offered a delayed training. Staff and patron participants will be asked to complete surveys over about 12 months, research staff will conduct observations of training and observations in the venues, and selected venue managers and staff will be asked to complete individual interviews.

Conditions

• Sexual Violence
• Bystander Intervention

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Safe Bars active bystander training

Safe Bars, Inc. (SBI)'s active bystander training is a primary prevention approach with three main components designed to (1) educate venue staff about the associations between alcohol and SV, (2) build bystander intervention skills and self-efficacy among venue staff, and (3) generate venue-level solutions to SV prevention. The 2.5-hour initial training combines didactic teaching with group brainstorming and practice-based role plays to teach staff actions they can take in response to risky scenarios observed in venue settings. Beyond increasing staff knowledge and skill, the training is also designed to spur venues' plans to support long-term culture change that reflects their local context and needs. After the initial training, SBI maintains a regular schedule of follow-up with trained venues to offer implementation support and access to SBI's other trainings in de-escalation and allyship.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Florida

  collaborator OTHER

• Georgia State University

  collaborator OTHER

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  collaborator FED

• RTI International

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-05-31

Primary Completion

2028-12-31

Completion

2028-12-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations