Industry-Wide Initiative Launches to Address Sexual Harassment in Beverage Alcohol and Hospitality
New York based Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS), a global membership organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women across every industry sector of the beverage alcohol industry, has announced 86 Harassment initiative addressing sexual harassment and gender-based violence within the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries. 86 Harassment is a free industry resource providing employers and employees with access to training, education, a confidential hotline, and prevention tools from industry experts.
86 Harassment which has been in development since 2020 with corporate catalyst funding from Women of the Vine & Spirits and Pernod Ricard North America (www.pernod-ricard-usa.com), was announced at the WOTVS Global CONNECT! Conference hosted in collaboration with the DISCUS Conference, in San Diego.
Today, the industry-wide initiative is additionally funded and proudly supported by Industry Association Partners the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (www.distilledspirits.org) and Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (www.wswa.org) and Corporate Sponsors Pernod Ricard North America (www.pernod-ricard-usa.com) and Republic National Distributing Company (www.rndc-usa.com).
86 Harassment is the first industry-wide initiative specifically designed for the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries to co-create an action plan aimed at reducing incidents of harassment and violence. We aim to create a model that can be duplicated by other industries worldwide emphasizing a collective commitment to fostering safer environments for employees and customers alike.
Statistics show that harassment is very prevalent in the beverage, alcohol and hospitality industries, with higher incidents of workplace harassment compared to other industries; according to Restaurant Opportunities Center United, 9 in 10 women in hospitality have been sexually harassed on the job, compared to 3 in 10 in the general workforce.
Beyond the moral imperative, 86 Harassment recognizes the critical business imperatives associated with combating workplace harassment. Research underscores the detrimental impact of harassment on employee satisfaction, productivity, hiring, retention rates, and company reputation, highlighting the urgent need for industry-wide action.
"This first-of-its-kind coordinated effort with Industry Association Partners and Corporate Sponsors stems from our belief that every individual deserves a safe and respectful workplace free of sexual harassment,” said Deborah Brenner, Founder & CEO, Women of the Vine & Spirits and Diverse Powered Brands. “Thanks to Pernod Ricard North America, the corporate catalyst sponsor, 86 Harassment serves as an industry-wide resource to help guide companies and employees on the path to prevention.”
"As a leading voice in the beverage alcohol industry, we recognize the importance of addressing sexual harassment and gender-based violence,” said Kayla Campbell, Vice President, Total Talent, Diversity & Enterprise-Wide Development Pernod Ricard North America. “Through our sponsorship of 86 Harassment, we are committed to driving meaningful change and promoting a culture of respect and dignity across our industry. We encourage others to join us in this critical movement."
86 Harassment will support employers and employees with the following free resources:
Customized Training for the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries on setting boundaries and bystander intervention, including “Creating A Safer Community,” developed and conducted by RAINN (www.rainn.org).
Industry-specific Dedicated Confidential Crisis Intervention Hotline operated by staff at RAINN. Telephone Crisis Intervention Services available in English and Spanish. The hotline staff are available 24/7 to support communities with industry-specific crisis intervention, empathetic listening, and warm handoffs to designated local service providers. The Hotline provides quality, anonymous, and confidential crisis intervention services in English and Spanish to support survivors within our industries.
Centralized Resource Hub including glossary key terms and phrases, articles, reports, newsletters, and educational resources for anyone in the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries. Handouts, toolkits, postcards, flyers, stickers, posters, available to download, print and post on walls on-premise, off-premise, offices and use at conferences, and events.
“At RAINN, we understand the profound impact of sexual harassment and violence on individuals and communities,” said Rajit Kabadi, Chief Consulting Officer of RAINN Consulting Group. “We are proud to be sought out by and lend our expertise to 86 Harassment to provide crucial resources and training to industry professionals, fostering environments where everyone feels valued and protected."
2024 Association Partners: Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS); Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA); and Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS).
“Sexual harassment has absolutely no place in our industry,” said Chris Swonger, DISCUS President and CEO. “We all play a pivotal role in this effort and education is the first step. We are fully invested in this important initiative, working alongside our partners, to provide best-in-class prevention and response education.”
“Harassment has no place in the most vibrant, diverse and promising wine and spirits marketplace the world has ever seen,” said Francis Creighton, President and CEO of WSWA. “Taking advantage of this resource is one important way we can build a safer and more inclusive beverage alcohol ecosystem for the future.”
Become an Industry Association Partner or Corporate Sponsor of 86 Harassment
Industry Association Partners and Corporate Sponsors are invited to join 86 Harassment by committing to financial support, gaining industry-wide recognition, and participating in the initiative's council.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline provides free, anonymous 24/7 support in English or Spanish via phone at 800.656.HOPE (4673) or chat via the online hotline. RAINN’s website (www.rainn.org) also provides information on supporting loved ones who are survivors, helping yourself heal if you’ve been directly affected by sexual violence, and how to be part of creating safer communities.
About 86 Harassment
86 Harassment is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing sexual harassment and gender-based violence within the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries. It serves as a collaborative effort to provide resources, support, and education to create safer work environments for all employees and customers. 86 Harassment is led by Women of the Vine & Spirits, in partnership with Industry Association Partners and Corporate Sponsors who hold a seat on the 86 Harassment Council. Industry Association Partners: Women of the Vine & Spirits, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States and Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America. Corporate Sponsors: Pernod Ricard North America and Republic National Distributing Company. For more information, please visit www.86harassment.com.
About Women of the Vine & Spirits
Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS) is the only global membership organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women across every industry sector and all three-tiers of the beverage alcohol industry. Women of the Vine & Spirits is an organization for members to connect through our global and diverse network and collaborate across all industry sectors. Providing members with resources and opportunities to thrive is the cornerstone of our organization’s success. We offer steadfast support to equip women at every position in the field with membership benefits that include education, training, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and networking as well as tools, services, and resources for personal and professional development. We use storytelling to cast a light on experiences common to women and highlight the successful career paths of the women currently driving our industry to a more inclusive and equitable future. Together, we are a committed community, taking action, and making a positive impact on the beverage alcohol industry, through business development & innovation (BDI), worldwide. For more information, please visit womenofthevine.com.
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