A UNC organization seeks to “raise the bar” by reaching out to the community and providing education about sexual assault to bars in Chapel Hill.
Raise the Bar is a program initiated by the UNC Student Wellness center in collaboration with the Orange County Rape Crisis Center and the Carolina Women’s Center.
“The goals of the program include promoting an environment of safety in local bars and establishments that sell alcohol, as well as informing bar staff and patrons about drug facilitated sexual assault (DFSA),” Kelli Raker, coordinator for violence prevention programs at UNC Student Wellness, said in an email.
Raise the Bar hosts outreach events once or twice a year and offers trainings for bar staff in collaboration with Chapel Hill Police Department.
Raker said during the outreach events, volunteers visit local establishments to inform the staff about sexual assault and trainings that Raise the Bar offers, as well as provide flyers about consent.
Volunteers, including UNC students and community members, receive an hour-long training prior to reaching out to establishments.
The next outreach event will place on Friday, and volunteers are still needed.
Raker said since the launch of the program in 2003, they have had conversations with 54 establishments that sell alcohol in Chapel Hill, focusing on those that are closest to the campus.
“Staff at bars and restaurants have responded positively to the program and have been receptive to our volunteers during outreach events,” Raker said in an email.
