Bar staff are expected to protect customers from sexual violence in their hospitality establishments, given alarming allegations of sex and drug use in the sector.
Hospitality workers in NSW will be given mandatory sexual violence prevention training after the Labor government overhauled mandatory Responsible Drinking (RSA) training.
The major update comes in response to allegations that staff at one of Sydney’s top bars and restaurants were encouraged to have sex with customers while on duty.
Swillhouse, owner of six high-profile Sydney venues including Le Foote in the Rocks restaurant, Baxter Inn whisky bar and French restaurant Hubert, was rocked by a series of disturbing allegations in August.
The Sydney Morning Herald investigation uncovered allegations from five former female employees who alleged that Swillhouse failed to support them after they reported allegations of sexual abuse and harassment by male colleagues.
In response to the scandal, the government has pushed for an extension of mandatory training for bar staff. It is also consulting with advocacy groups and key stakeholders on planned changes to the RSA training manual, which will include adding alcohol to drinks.
Employees in the hospitality industry are trained to recognize and report problematic behavior, for example by reporting incidents to management or by calling the police.
The Sydney Morning Herald’s months-long investigation also revealed concerns about the culture within Swillhouse establishments.
Bar staff are expected to protect customers from sexual violence in their hospitality establishments, amid alarming allegations of sex and drugs in the sector (pictured partygoers in Sydney)
A woman who worked as a barmaid at Hubert claimed she was raped in the toilet by a male colleague in 2013 after making a cocktail of ten different types of gin.
“I got completely drunk… and came to… in the ladies room at work,” the woman, who is filing a complaint with police, told the publication.
Other restaurant staff claimed there was a special room where they snorted lines of cocaine during their shifts, while the Baxter Inn’s male bar team reportedly held a competition to sleep with customers in a storage room.
There would be a $1,000 bottle of wine up for grabs for the first bartender to have sex with a customer.
Anton Forte, the CEO of Swillhouse, who has not been personally accused of wrongdoing, stepped down from the board following the revelations.
Earlier this month, Mr Forte posted a lengthy video on the hospitality group’s Instagram account in which he responded to the allegations.
During his video apology, Mr Forte said he started his hospitality group to “create something magical in the city we love”.
Swillhouse founder Anton Forte (pictured) issued a lengthy apology on Instagram after his hospitality business became embroiled in a shocking sex and drugs scandal
Sydney’s Le Foote in the Rocks restaurant is one of six flagship Swillhouse locations
“We wanted to create a culture of openness, generosity and respect, but we made mistakes along the way,” he said.
“It is heartbreaking to know that people were not supported, not heard and were abandoned.
“I’m so sorry about that.”
Mr Forte said the allegations against Swillhouse were “far-reaching” and “reflect a period when our business was not as sophisticated as it is today”.
“We don’t take it lightly and respect people’s experiences and their need to share their stories publicly,” he continued.
“We heard you, we are listening and we are responsible.”
SafeWork NSW is still investigating the allegations surrounding Swillhouse.
Gaming and Racing Minister David Harris said the New South Wales Government would take a “zero tolerance” approach to sexual harassment in pubs and clubs.
“This requires a collective and coordinated effort from everyone,” Harris said.
‘RSA training is mandatory for all bar staff and security guards in pubs, clubs and small bars across NSW, so we are keen to explore how we can best equip them with the tools they need to prevent this type of behaviour.’
