In response to the growing need for practical education on preventing sexual harassment, the Sydney City Liquor Accord (SCLA) partnered with Smart Culture to deliver targeted, practical training aimed at preventing sexual harassment, enhancing safety, and promoting respect across licensed venues in the Sydney CBD.
Building on mandatory responsible service of alcohol (RSA) training requirements, which now include sexual harassment prevention, the SCLA convened a face-to-face training session attended by approximately 200 local senior hospitality managers. The program was delivered by Karen Maher, a workplace compliance specialist from Smart Culture, and provided practical tools to help licensees and managers set clear expectations and respond appropriately to incidents.
The session focused on equipping managers with the tools to set clear behavioural expectations and respond appropriately to incidents. Notably, the initiative was fully funded by the Accord through membership fees, demonstrating one of the key benefits of being part of local liquor accords - access to industry-relevant training and resources at no additional cost to members.
SCLA Chair, Steven Speed, said the focus was on providing clear guidance for venue managers.
“We want members to know what the guidelines and boundaries are in real situations. Standards are always changing, and not knowing is no excuse. This training gives our people the ground rules and shows them how to handle complaints or incidents when they happen,” Mr Speed said.
The program was supported by NSW Police Superintendent Marty Fileman, Senior Licensing Officer Ivan O’Donnell, and Sean Morrissey from Australian Hotels Association (AHA) NSW, highlighting the importance of collaboration between regulators, industry, and law enforcement.
Following its success, the initiative has already attracted interest from other liquor accords seeking to replicate the model, demonstrating its broader impact and relevance across the sector.
By investing in proactive education, the SCLA is demonstrating leadership in regulatory compliance, supporting a culture of respect and setting a benchmark for best practice in venue management.
Find out more about the benefits of liquor accord membership.
Sydney City Liquor Accord