New Westminster is supporting the City of Victoria’s efforts to prevent sexualized violence in the workplace.
Council supported a motion put forward by Coun. Mary Trentadue to have council write to the province advocating for the inclusion of sexualized violence-preventing training within the Serving it Right curriculum in order to educate people to take action to prevent sexualized violence and to respond appropriately and with care when incidents occurs.
Trentadue said her motion was in support of work being done by the City of Victoria to prevent and respond to sexualized violence in the hospitality sector.
“They are advocating to the province and, essentially, just asking the city for support in that advocacy,” she said.
According to the motion approved by council on Aug. 29, the City of Victoria has been working with a number of other partners, including Ending Violence Association of B.C., Good Night Out Vancouver, B.C. Restaurant and Food Services Association and B.C.’s Alliance of Beverage Licensees, in advocating and requesting that the province enhance B.C.’s Serving It Right training to incorporate sexualized violence-prevention and response education.
“I am just asking that council send a letter to the province advocating for this work to be included in Serving it Right program, or to be considered as part of the Serving it Right curriculum,” she said.
Serving It Right is an online course that everyone involved in the sale and service of liquor has to take in order to promote responsible liquor sales and service for industry workers. The program aims to make sure that the service and sale of liquor is done according to law and in a way that keeps customers, guests and others safe from alcohol-related harms.
In May, Victoria city council passed a motion to create an industry-led working group focused on preventing sexualized violence in the hospitality industry, and promoting a culture of consent. It’s one of a number of actions that city has taken on the issue.
