SafetyNet Guernsey
.jpeg)
Empowering Guernsey's Night-Time Economy: A Milestone for the Safe Place Project
We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of our training sessions on the Island of Guernsey, marking a significant milestone for our Safe Place Project
Over the course of five days, we delivered 40 hours of training to over 200 individuals, including staff from 21 venues across the island—ranging from pubs, bars, clubs, hotels, and restaurants, to members of the Guernsey police force. The Safe Place Project for the Island of Guernsey is now complete.
These workshops focused on critical issues affecting the night-time economy, such as spiking, sexual violence, hate crimes, and domestic abuse. By equipping staff with the knowledge and tools to identify, prevent, and respond to harm in collaboration with SafetyNet Guernsey, we have certified 21 venues as part of the Safe Place Project. This achievement reflects the Island of Guernsey’s commitment to creating safer spaces for both workers and patrons.
The training provided to night-time economy staff covered a wide range of essential skills and knowledge. Participants explored why people often don’t intervene in harmful situations that they see on a night out and how they can become effective allies to increase their level of intervention and therefore the safety of their customers. They learned to recognise the different forms of sexual violence and unacceptable behaviours that occur within the night-time economy, and gained a deeper understanding of the nature and methods of spiking. We informed staff of the work we conduct in the UK, leading the campaign to make spiking a standalone criminal offence and therefore sharing our valuable insight with them on how to identify and prevent spiking methods and trends.
The sessions also addressed how to identify individuals who may be vulnerable and analyse the characteristics and motives of perpetrators. Unlike other training providers in the night time industry we put emphasis on not just responding to these incidents of harm, but preventing them from happening in the first place. A way in which we do this is by empowering victims and deterring perpetrators, recognising that by doing so, unacceptable behaviours can be prevented. Staff were taught how to intervene effectively in situations and offer appropriate victim support, as well as when to involve emergency services and preserve crime scenes. Throughout the training, participants applied their knowledge to real-life scenarios, which allowed them to practise and refine their skills in responding to incidents within the night-time economy.
We also worked closely with the Guernsey Police to provide them with targeted training, focused on supporting victims and improving their responses to incidents within the night-time economy. The police training helped staff understand the current methods of spiking and sexual violence, and how to recognise the characteristics and motives of perpetrators. A key part of the training was dedicated to understanding how victims experience trauma and the importance of being victim-led when responding to first disclosures. Officers were introduced to helpful phrases and approaches that can empower and validate victims, ensuring they feel supported and heard throughout the process.
The engagement from all participants was inspiring. Venue staff shared personal experiences from their shifts, using them as learning tools to further solidify the training. Meanwhile, the police personnel discussed current practices and ways to improve responses to disclosures, ensuring that victims feel heard and supported. This collaboration between our organisation, local venues, and the police highlights the power of community involvement in tackling serious issues within the night-time economy. By creating a safer environment, we’re not only protecting individuals but empowering them to come forward and report when harm occurs.
These are all the venues that are now certified as part of our Safe Place Project:
We’re proud of the work we’ve done in Guernsey, but this is just the beginning. Our Safe Place Project aims to continue supporting the night-time economy by providing resources and fostering an environment of safety, respect, and accountability.