THE Basingstoke branch of the Women’s Equality Party (WE) has moved a step closer to ensuring that venues which sell alcohol must prevent sexual harassment.

The group have reached a milestone in their campaign for sexual harassment prevention to be added to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s (BDBC) new licensing policy.

The policy is a document that lays out the criteria an application must meet for the licence to be granted; BDBC’s policy is currently under review.

WE Basingstoke’s proposal called for sexual harassment to be added to the list of situations that licence holders must guard against, alongside things like prevention of underage drinking, sale of alcohol to intoxicated customers, and drug use.

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The licensing committee met on July 4 and agreed unanimously to pass the new policy version to the full council to approve.

Stacy Hart, WE Basingstoke’s branch leader, said:“This is a great step forward in protecting women in venues, and we’re thrilled that the licensing committee has taken action to make the protection of women and minoritised communities a necessity. There are lots of specific, simple steps that venues can take to fulfil this new requirement, that will show that harassment of women in night-time social venues is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

"WE hope that the culture of acceptance in society of low-level harassment – things like cat-calling and unwanted touching – will start to dissipate in Basingstoke’s bars and clubs once some of these steps are taken.”

Anyone wishing to run a venue that sells alcohol such as a bar or a club must apply for a licence to do so.

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The proposal put forward by WE Basingstoke gave examples of steps licensed venues might consider, such as public signage and zero-tolerance policies, staff training, appropriately briefed door staff and easily accessible harassment reporting methods.

Stacy added: “WE want Basingstoke to be a leader in combating violence against women and girls and believe this measure is an achievable step towards that goal. WE look forward to the new Licensing Policy being presented to the full Council for their vote and urge all Councillors to vote in favour of the change.”

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