Can We Finally 86 Harassment in Hospitality?

It’s time to 86 Harassment in hospitality. The name 86 Harassment is a deliberate play on words familiar to anyone in hospitality.

In restaurant and bar lingo, to ‘86’ something means to remove it from the menu or cut it out entirely. Applied here, it’s a bold statement of purpose: to remove harassment of any form from the alcohol/alternative beverage and hospitality industries.

86 Harassment is a free, industry-wide initiative created by Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS) to address harassment in the alcohol/alternative beverage and hospitality sectors. Built in response to the industry reckonings beginning in 2020 across the wine and beer industries, WOTVS recognized the need for accessible, practical resources for businesses of all sizes, including those without dedicated HR support. After launching an industry-wide Pledge of Commitment to End Sexual Harassment in Beverage Alcohol and gathering over 1,000 signatures within the first week, WOTVS quickly realized there was a larger need for robust programming and education. This was the impetus of 86 Harassment.

With initial funding and strategic guidance from Pernod Ricard North America and with additional support from the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States and Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, 86 Harassment officially launched in March 2024. 86 Harassment is a comprehensive program offering free industry-specific training, a 24/7 confidential hotline, and multilingual educational tools to the alcohol/alternative beverage and hospitality industries. You read that right… free! We asked WOTVS and tell us more about 86 Harassment.

“To truly prevent harassing conduct, employers need to drive an industry-wide effort. 86 Harassment brings this mission to life by providing guidance and resources to all employers, regardless of size. It also provides resources for victims so they may be supported and understand their options to report harassment.” – Michelle Cubbon, Associate General Counsel at Pernod Ricard North America

What resources are available through 86 Harassment? How can bars implement them realistically?

Launched on a standalone website, 86 Harassment is completely free and accessible to those in the alcohol/alternative beverage and hospitality industries. The website can be translated to English, Spanish, and French. 86 Harassment was designed as an industry-wide resource for organizations of all sizes, combining prevention education with survivor support. Key components include:

Customized Free Training Sessions: Conducted by experts such as RAINN, Safe Bars Inc., and Safe Bar Network, these programs focus on bystander intervention, setting boundaries, active allyship, and creating safer communities. The curriculum is regularly updated to address emerging challenges.
Confidential Hotline and Chat: Operated by trained specialists at RAINN, the hotline is available 24/7 in English and Spanish. It provides crisis intervention, empathetic listening, and connections to local service providers who understand the unique needs of hospitality and alcohol/alternative beverage workers.
Centralized Resource Hub: A digital library filled with glossaries, educational content, downloadable posters, handouts, and toolkits, ensuring that businesses of every size have access to best-in-class resources for prevention and response.

Bars, restaurants, tasting rooms, venues, and corporate teams are encouraged to utilize 86 Harassment’s resources to equip staff to play an active role in preventing harassment. We recommend that entire teams participate in the trainings, and venues can access a range of printable tools and materials from the 86 Harassment platform to display on-site to reinforce a culture of safety.

This holistic approach not only helps companies implement effective policies but also equips individuals with practical skills to intervene and prevent incidents before they occur. Thanks to the support of 86 Harassment Industry Sponsors, Brown-Forman, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Pernod Ricard North America, Republic National Distributing Company, and Spirits Canada all the resources provided by 86 Harassment are free, increasing their accessibility across the industry.

“Sexual harassment has absolutely no place in our industry,” said Chris Swonger, President & CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.

“On behalf of our member companies, we are fully invested in this work, alongside our partners at Women of the Vine & Spirits, to provide this best-in-class prevention and response education. The mission is to continue to build an industry community that is safe, open, and inclusive for all.”

Catherine Eaton, Vice President of Finance and Operations at Spirits Canada, echoed this sentiment: “Empowering victims of sexism, workplace harassment, and violence starts with recognizing their voices, meeting their needs, and turning compassion into action. Through the meaningful work of 86 Harassment, the industry is creating a future where support leads to change.”

What are some simple steps for bar owners and managers to create a safer environment where staff feel empowered to speak up?

Bar owners and managers can make a meaningful impact with a few proactive steps, and 86 Harassment offers free tools to support them. Creating safe channels for open communication, whether through private check-ins or anonymous reporting, helps staff feel comfortable speaking up, and the 86 Harassment 24/7 confidential hotline, operated by RAINN, gives workers an additional trusted place to seek support.

Regular training is equally important, and owners and managers that encourage their teams to attend training equip their staff with greater skills and confidence to navigate difficult scenarios that may arise in the workplace. 86 Harassment provides free monthly sessions on bystander intervention, boundary setting, de-escalation, active allyship and creating a safer community for all.

It is also imperative that owners and managers model the behavior they expect from their staff, stepping in when situations escalate and encouraging employees to set healthy boundaries, protecting both their staff and their customers. By combining these day-to-day practices with the accessible resources from 86 Harassment, bars can create safer, more respectful environments where staff feel empowered and protected.

86 Harassment was built with a prevention model in mind—we believe we all play an active role in preventing incidents before they happen. By empowering your teams with knowledge, tools, and resources, together, we can create a safer industry for all.

What are some steps bartenders and servers can take in the moment when they experience or witness harassment, especially if they feel unsupported?

86 Harassment trainings, led by industry experts like RAINN and Safe Bars Inc., dive into real-industry specific scenarios that empower bartenders and servers with practical, in-the-moment strategies. These sessions are tailored to our industry, so participants practice recognizing the subtle ways harassment can show up during a shift and build confidence in responding safely and effectively.

Each training segment on 86 Harassment is interactive by design. Attendees are encouraged to actively practice approaches such as distraction techniques, direct interventions, and ways to safely delegate support when faced with a challenging scenario.

By strengthening these real-time response skills, bartenders and servers walk away better prepared to navigate difficult situations, protect themselves, their coworkers, and their customers, and contribute to a safer culture on every shift.

What role do you hope 86 Harassment will play in shaping the future of hospitality?

The launch of 86 Harassment has already had a measurable impact across alcohol/alternative beverage and hospitality, and we are just getting started. Small businesses that once lacked access to robust HR infrastructure are now able to implement clear policies and connect their staff to expert training. Larger organizations, meanwhile, have embraced the program to strengthen existing cultures of safety and accountability, and tap into the trainings as an extension to the programming they already have in place.
“WOTVS has been more than a network for me.

It’s been a catalyst for growth, connection, and transformation. That same spirit drives my work with the 86 Harassment Council, where I’ve had the honor of serving as a founding member,” said council member Melissa Linehan, Northeast Region President, RNDC. “This initiative is especially close to my heart. It’s about more than policy—it’s about protecting people, elevating voices, and creating a culture where everyone feels safe, respected, and empowered. RNDC’s sponsorship of 86 Harassment reflects our deep commitment to these values, which are also championed through Athena, our Associate Resource Group focused on advancing women. I am proud to stand alongside WOTVS in driving meaningful change across our industry and beyond.”

Leah Kelly, Manager, Global Alcohol Responsibility, Brown-Forman Corporation, adds “Brown-Forman and our brands recognize our unique role in cultivating safe and enjoyable environments for consumers and hospitality members, that’s why we proudly support industry platforms like 86 Harassment. By increasing access to education and resources for hospitality members were able to ensure that a safe night out is the norm, and the expectation.”

At 86 Harassment, we envision a future alcohol/alternative beverage and hospitality industry where harassment is not tolerated. By providing access to prevention-focused resources across all sectors of these industries, we aim to provide a single, comprehensive initiative to unite in this effort.

How can brands and industry partners support this movement in a meaningful, long-term way beyond statements or one-off initiatives?

Hospitality and alcohol/alternative beverage have always been about more than food and drinks—they are about creating meaningful human connection. But that sense of connection can only flourish when safety and respect are built into the foundation of every bar, restaurant, tasting room, and event. Meaningful change happens when the entire industry recognizes that protecting workers isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s essential to the health, creativity, and longevity of hospitality itself.

Brands and industry partners play a powerful role in shaping that future. Beyond statements of support, they can make a long-term impact by integrating 86 Harassment’s resources and trainings into their own ecosystems. When influential partners model strong, consistent safety standards, it sets an expectation that resonates across the entire supply chain.

“Addressing this as an industry would not be possible without the financial commitment of our generous Industry Sponsors. 86 Harassment was built by the industry, for the industry,” said Deborah Brenner, Founder & CEO of Women of the Vine & Spirits.

Sustained support also means helping ensure that workers everywhere have access to the same protections. That’s why we invite sponsors to take action to support this initiative, by funding continued, no-cost access to our 86 Harassment resources, including monthly trainings, a 24/7 confidential hotline, and a robust resource hub. This collective investment allows independent bars, small teams, and under-resourced venues to benefit from the same de-escalation tools, policy templates, reporting guides, and micro-trainings used by larger corporations. With collective action and shared responsibility, 86 Harassment stands as a testament to what is possible when an industry unites to confront its most difficult challenges.

For more information or to learn how to get involved, visit 86harassment.com or contact info@86harassment.com.

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