3 Clever Ways that Bartenders are Helping to Combat Sexual Assault By Tara Jones

Recently bartenders across the nation are incorporating a secret sexual assault preventing language into the bar-scene. Too many times we have seen an uncomfortable or inebriated woman being hit on by an unwanted stranger. It can be awkward to have to break up the scene not sure how to enter or the ramifications from doing so. The solution that bartenders have developed are coded actions and drink orders.

Notes from Management

People can be socially shamed to accept uncomfortable behaviors from others or ‘not make a scene’ and it can be hard to feel comfortable expressing your concerns. BARCC  is encouraging friendly notes posted in the bathrooms by management can hep eliminate these measures and normalize what can feel like a slight worry and empower those with concern to speak. Management will encourage reporting people that are making them feel unsafe as well as suspicious activity among others. For example a woman who is too intoxicated to walk straight getting ‘assisted ‘ by strange “helpers” to their car. By placing a friendly reminder in the bathroom it can help others to speak out for themselves and others providing protection for more potential victims of assault and other crimes.

Angel Shots and Other Drink Codes as a Security Alert System

Bartenders have created fake drink orders as an alert system to prevent sexual assault or other criminal activity. The most popular code systems are “Angel Shots’ a fake drink order alert system supported by Demi Lovato. Depending on how you order these shots, the combination can spell different meanings to the bartender about your situation. Order any style ‘Angel Shot’ immediately signals your bartender that your situation is uncomfortable and they need to be put on alert. An “Angel Shot Neat” for example means that you would like to be walked to your car. An “Angel Shot Dressed” means that you will have a taxi or Uber called. And lastly, an “Angel Shot with Lime” means you want the police called immediately. Though there is always the risk that predators will also understand your distress call and react badly a protective culture and alert system may be enough to scare away the unwanted lurker.

Receipt Fake-Out

Lastly, bartenders are also issuing fake receipts to people that seem socially uncomfortable with their date or unwanted lurker. The bartender will hand the potential target a ‘receipt’ which is actually a list of instructions for what to do if they are in distress such as if you are uncomfortable put a quarter on the table and I will remove this person from the bar. These proactive solutions not only help the individual situation deescalate but also create a culture of awareness and acceptance to anyone that might have otherwise felt powerless or unable to speak up for themselves. It also creates more pressures for establishments to actually train bartenders to be more aware and proactive in their actions as opposed to just relying on the savvy of an individual or Security Guard who is usually too busy to note the subtle nuances and signals of the entire social atmosphere.

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