Sexual assault website reveals dark underbelly of LA cocktail industry
The hospitality industry is slowly coming to terms with a reality it has long known about but neglected to address. It is becoming harder and harder to deny that the dangers of sexual assault exist in the trendy restaurant and bar scene of Los Angeles, California.
Late last year, a group of women launched a website, The Reality of Sexual Assault in the Cocktail Community, exposing what they described as rampant sexual assault in Los Angeles’ bar industry. Sixteen female bartenders shared harrowing first-person accounts of the sexual assault they allegedly suffered at the hands of a well-known male bartender based in the city. They claimed the man used his position to intimidate, harass and assault female colleagues.
The website serves as a wake-up call for an industry that has long allowed such incidents to go unchecked. While the stories point out the actions of one man, they are not isolated cases. The authors highlight the need for a public forum to spread awareness about sexual assault in their industry and encourage an open conversation. They also hope to empower victims to speak up and report crimes.
One of the website’s authors wrote, “[Victims of sexual assault] worry about fear of retaliation, fear of being blamed or shamed, fear of the criminal justice system not being effective or being embarrassed about what happened. This fear is perpetuating the problem and preventing justice.”
Sexual harassment and sexual assault are unacceptable and illegal in the workplace. However, such incidents often get buried when they occur in an industry that is defined by alcohol. Those who commit sexual assault after drinking end up blaming alcohol for their behavior. Even victims of such acts sometimes use their attacker’s intoxication as an excuse.
When sexual harassment and sexual assault are considered the price of working in the bar industry, they are effectively accepted and allowed to become widespread. The first step to ending such behavior is to recognize that it is not okay, no matter the circumstances or the type of workplace.
[footer block_id=’778′]
Read more
Insights from the Costco Lawsuit: How Medical Leave and Reasonable Accommodations Intersect in California
When a medical crisis hits, workers often assume their employer will follow the law, offer support and make reasonable accommodations. But what happens when the company’s leave policy limits clash with California…
When Algorithms Make the Decisions: What Workers Should Know About AI and Employment Discrimination
Hiring practices have changed dramatically in the last decade. Many job seekers today never speak to a person during the early stages of applying for work. Instead, they interact with software platforms…
Can AI Be Biased? What California Workers Should Know About the New Rules for Hiring Technology
Artificial intelligence has become a major player in the workplace, especially in hiring. Whether you realize it or not, many employers now use automated tools to screen resumes, rank candidates and even…
San Leandro Sushi Restaurant Cited for Wage Theft Over Stolen Tips and Unpaid Overtime
Wage theft is a common issue in California’s restaurant industry, where workers may be paid in cash, often rely on tips and work long or irregular hours. A recent investigation at Angry…
SEEN ON
