We were thrilled to bring the Safe Place Project to Northampton Students’ Union to launch our students union night time economy outreach for the year, delivering training to bar staff on how to be an effective ally at work and in society. 

This workshop equipped staff with the knowledge and confidence to proactively prevent harm and create safer social spaces for students and staff. The session enhanced awareness of spiking, sexual violence, and hate crimes within nightlife settings while providing practical tools for identifying risks and vulnerabilities in a bar environment. Participants gained confidence in intervention techniques to prevent harm and fostered a culture of proactive safeguarding, ensuring students feel safe and supported.

We looked at the various forms of sexual violence and unacceptable behavior that occur in nightlife settings, helping staff identify patterns of predatory behavior, understand how perpetrators operate, and recognise who may be most vulnerable. Additionally, we emphasised the importance of empowering victims and deterring perpetrators through a zero-tolerance, victim-led approach, ensuring that inappropriate behavior is always addressed rather than ignored. Participants also gained a clear understanding of when to escalate situations, including how to contact emergency services, preserve crime scenes when necessary, and support victims in a trauma-informed manner. By applying these skills in real-life scenarios, participants left the session feeling more prepared, more confident, and more committed to fostering a safer, more inclusive student environment.