Without official protocol, bars in SP create initiatives to combat sexual harassment

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What if the Daniel Alves case happened in a bar in Brazil? Would the establishment be prepared to support the victim? Contrary to what exists in Barcelona, ​​there is still no protocol on how to act in cases of harassment established by law or by entities, but bars in São Paulo have created their own methods to overcome the absence of a document.

What motivated Esquina do Fuad, in Santa Cecília, was a flagrant scam by the dating app. “The customer booked with men, put drugs in the drink and robbed [as vítimas]. We only found out when he was arrested”, says Lilian Sallum, owner of the bar.

In an internet search, Sallum saw examples and decided to create the coded drink “Lá Butique”. Signs instruct anyone who feels unsafe to go up to the counter and ask. The waiter will be able to call a taxi or even the police if necessary. “If we see something going on, we stop by the table and ask if everything is okay, to show we’re there to help.”

Both in Alesp, the Legislative Assembly of São Paulo, and in the Chamber of Deputies, there are two bills running along the lines of the Barcelona protocol, which provides for the assistance of the establishment during cases of harassment and abuse. The PLs also establish that bars are proactive and that they help the victim. Both have been stuck in commissions since last year.

The Consumer Protection Code is generic and does not provide for specific situations on how establishments should operate in such cases. “We need a more robust legislation on the subject”, says David Douglas, lawyer of the relationship area of ​​the Brazilian Institute of the Consumer. “Intensifying accountability would cause movement to prevent abuse,” he explains. But if the victim believes that the establishment was silent in acting, he can sue him, according to the code.

Facundo Guerra, businessman and partner of Bar dos Arcos, in the central region of São Paulo, says that there is still little mobilization in the sector, with specific initiatives in the capital of São Paulo. “What we’ve done from the start is explain what constitutes harassment. If you want to buy a woman a drink, let’s ask first,” he says. Having diversity in the team is also part of the bar rules in downtown São Paulo. “A diverse brigade identifies harassment, this sensitivity comes from those who suffer from these cases”.

Abrasel, the Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants, says it will discuss with associated bars and restaurants ways to preserve the safety of women, and reinforce the importance of informing and training employees so that they are prepared to help victims.

The project Bares Sem Assédio, by the whiskey brand Johnnie Walker, wants to help reverse the concept that bars are hostile places for women. According to a survey by Diageo, the beverage giant that owns the brand, last year, two thirds of Brazilian women suffered sexual harassment in restaurants and bars. There will be 4,000 houses trained by the end of this year, says Eduardo Fonseca, director of corporate relations for Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay at the company.

The course involves 30-minute lessons and a quiz at the end of the training. The certificate comes after a year of follow-up to see the progress of the brigade. “The service industry has a very high turnover rate, this is the way to guarantee that the team is more prepared”.

The Pirajá bar, at the Faria Lima unit, is one of the members of the project, and joined after suffering several cases inside the house. “The waiters became much more attentive, they understood the seriousness of the matter better”, says Aparecido Nascimento, assistant manager of the house. For the women who work there, it has become a safer environment. Half of the brigade is made up of women.

Training is also passed on to other units. In a WhatsApp group, information is passed on to the ten houses in the same group of restaurants and bars. The team also meets every day for 20 minutes to discuss topics related to harassment — a woman is always the speaker.

The Daniel Alves case and the Barcelona protocol

Soccer player Daniel Alves, 39, was arrested in Barcelona, ​​Spain, on January 20, accused of raping a 23-year-old girl in the bathroom of a nightclub. On the day of the crime, after the victim, her cousin and her friend spoke about the case to employees, the nightclub put in place a security protocol aimed at controlling sexual violence in leisure environments.

The document, developed in 2018 and called “No Callem”, details how private spaces should act in such cases. The police were called, listened to the victim and sent her to a hospital, whose medical report would point out traits consistent with an assault. Traces of semen were collected from the sink in the club’s bathroom.

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