Adelaide Introduces Pilot Scheme to Protect Women on Nights Out

Australian city Adelaide will team up with nightlife venues to launch a women’s safety program. Titled Project Night Light, the 12-month pilot will train bar, pub, and nightclub staff members to protect their female patrons and create safer nightlife settings. 

Twelve venue businesses are participating in the trial, with staff from each nightlife institution undergoing bystander intervention coaching. As part of the training, the personnel will also learn how to appropriately respond when people share their domestic violence or sexual assault experiences. 

Each nightlife business underwent a safety assessment audit, which included recommendations on how a venue’s layout can help discourage violence.  

Adelaide’s Project Night Light kicks off today, November 25th, coinciding with International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith said the pilot is a major step toward creating safe nightlife environments for female patrons. 

“We want our city to be a welcoming and inviting place, where everybody feels safe to have a fun night out. We anticipate by running these training programs it will empower staff at these venues to recognise and act on the signs of disrespect to help prevent escalation to violence.”

According to statistics, one woman is murdered every week by current or former partners, one in three Australian women have experienced physical violence, and 53% have been victims of sexual assault.