Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS), the only global membership organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women across every industry sector and all three-tiers in the beverage alcohol industry, has announced 86 Harassment (www.86harassment.com), a groundbreaking industry-wide initiative addressing sexual harassment and gender-based violence within the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries.
In development since 2020, 86 Harassment has corporate catalyst funding from Women of the Vine & Spirits and Pernod Ricard North America (www.pernod-ricard-usa.com), was announced at the WOTVS Global CONNECT! Conference hosted in collaboration with the DISCUS Conference, in San Diego.
Today, the industry-wide initiative is additionally funded and proudly supported by Industry Association Partners the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (www.distilledspirits.org) and Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (www.wswa.org) and Corporate Sponsors Pernod Ricard North America (www.pernod-ricard-usa.com) and Republic National Distributing Company (www.rndc-usa.com).
“This first-of-its-kind coordinated effort with Industry Association Partners and Corporate Sponsors stems from our belief that every individual deserves a safe and respectful workplace free of sexual harassment,” said Deborah Brenner, Founder & CEO, Women of the Vine & Spirits and Diverse Powered Brands.
“Thanks to Pernod Ricard North America, the corporate catalyst sponsor, 86 Harassment serves as an industry-wide resource to help guide companies and employees on the path to prevention.”
86 Harassment is the first industry-wide initiative specifically designed for the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries to co-create an action plan aimed at reducing incidents of harassment and violence. We aim to create a model that can be duplicated by other industries worldwide emphasizing a collective commitment to fostering safer environments for employees and customers alike.
Statistics show that harassment is very prevalent in the beverage, alcohol and hospitality industries, with higher incidents of workplace harassment compared to other industries; according to Restaurant Opportunities Center United, 9 in 10 women in hospitality have been sexually harassed on the job, compared to 3 in 10 in the general workforce.
Beyond the moral imperative, 86 Harassment recognizes the critical business imperatives associated with combating workplace harassment. Research underscores the detrimental impact of harassment on employee satisfaction, productivity, hiring, retention rates, and company reputation, highlighting the urgent need for industry-wide action.
“As a leading voice in the beverage alcohol industry, we recognize the importance of addressing sexual harassment and gender-based violence,” said Kayla Campbell, Vice President, Total Talent, Diversity & Enterprise-Wide Development Pernod Ricard North America.
“Through our sponsorship of 86 Harassment, we are committed to driving meaningful change and promoting a culture of respect and dignity across our industry. We encourage others to join us in this critical movement.”
86 Harassment will support employers and employees with the following free resources:
● Customized Training for the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries on setting boundaries and bystander intervention, including “Creating A Safer Community,” developed and conducted by RAINN (www.rainn.org).
● Industry-specific Dedicated Confidential Crisis Intervention Hotline operated by staff at RAINN. Telephone Crisis Intervention Services available in English and Spanish. The hotline staff are available 24/7 to support communities with industry-specific crisis intervention, empathetic listening, and warm handoffs to designated local service providers. The Hotline provides quality, anonymous, and confidential crisis intervention services in English and Spanish to support survivors within our industries.
● Centralized Resource Hub including glossary key terms and phrases, articles, reports, newsletters, and educational resources for anyone in the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries. Handouts, toolkits, postcards, flyers, stickers, posters, available to download, print and post on walls on-premise, off-premise, offices and use at conferences, and events.
“At RAINN, we understand the profound impact of sexual harassment and violence on individuals and communities,” said Rajit Kabadi, Chief Consulting Officer of RAINN Consulting Group.
“We are proud to be sought out by and lend our expertise to 86 Harassment to provide crucial resources and training to industry professionals, fostering environments where everyone feels valued and protected.”