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Bars, Booze and Sexual Violence Bars, Booze and Sexual Violence is a multi-phase project kick-started in 2000 as a vehicle for meaningful discussions around the sexually charged atmosphere of the bar scene in St. John’s, and its particular impact on women patrons. Set on George Street, which boasts the most bars per square foot of any street in North America, a fierce competition for business makes for a dangerous combination of outrageous drink specials, seedy contests and patrons working for the weekend. Focus groups held with women and men revealed the sociological dynamics at play on the bar scene, including the links between gender, violence, and their exacerbation in this social setting. Phase I - Young St. John’s Women Speak A study conducted by the RCCAV in 2000, entitled “Bars, Booze and Sexual Violence: Young St. John’s Women Speak,” revealed the existence of sexual harassment and violence against women at the downtown bar scene in St. John’s. The overtly sexualized nature of downtown bars, including wet t-shirt contests, the lack of acknowledgment towards women’s sexual safety, the sexual objectification of women and gender-role stereotyping were identified by participants as factors contributing to these conditions. Young St. John’s Women Speak was made possible with support from Victim Services, Department of Justice, and the Violence Prevention Initiative. Download Young St. John’s Women Speak Phase II - Moving Masculinities In 2002, the RCCAV conducted phase two of this project entitled “Bars, Booze and Sexual Violence: Moving Masculinities.” Focus group sessions were conducted with 100 young men providing them with an opportunity to comment on Phase One and express their views and experiences. Young men identified that violence against women is a problem at the downtown bar scene but did not express understanding of or accountability for this sexual harassment and violence. This research was made possible with funding from the National Crime Prevention Strategy, with in-kind support from the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women, the Regional Coordinating Coalition Against Violence, and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. Phases I and II of the Bars, Booze and Sexual Violence project offered important recommendations to be put in place by key stakeholders, such as bar owners, taxi drivers and police officers, to address and eliminate violence and inequality. Phase III - A Community Response Following up from the research conducted in Phases I and II, Phase III - A Community Response began in 2003. This phase seeks to address the recommendations put forth in phase two, educate the public about the first two phases and explore community solutions for the eradication of violence and inequality. A main focus of this phase involves engaging men’s participation in anti-violence and equality seeking work. It is our belief that only by working together can solutions be found. The output of Phase III is A Workshop Guide for Violence Free Communities: Involving Men and Boys, a multi-module guide exploring such topics as Demystifying Anti-Violence Work, Engaging Men and Boys, Youth and Anti-Violence. Development of this resource was made possible with funding from the National Crime Prevention Strategy, with in-kind support from the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women, the Regional Coordinating Coalition Against Violence, and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. Having exhausted its original print run, A Workshop Guide for Violence Free Communities underwent a second print run in May 2006 thanks to Women’s Policy Office, Government of Newfoundland & Labrador. Download A Workshop Guide for Violence Free Communities: Involving Men and Boys |
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cavae@coalitionagainstviolence.ca
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