The "smart clubbing" campaign is good, but nightclubs must do more to prevent cases of molestation



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Photo: Kyo Club / Youtube screengrab

The growing numbers are concerning, especially when you look at the numbers of 80 nightclub molestation cases in 2016 to 107 cases reported in 2017. That is a 33.8 percent increase in the span of a year.

On September 5, the police launched a "smart clubbing" campaign in cooperation with many nightclubs. The goal of the campaign is to teach patrons how to protect themselves against sexual assault and to be able to help them.

The campaign is supported by the National Crime Prevention Council and major public outlets in Clarke Quay, Orchard Road, Marina Bay and Sentosa.

Nightclub staff have been trained to stay alert and watch drunk patrons who might have posed any kind of threat to others, and they have been educated to go to school.

Since last month, the police have circulated crime advisories and videos that teaches people how to behave against and respond to acts of sexual assault.

While these efforts are commendable, they are certainly not enough. Nightclubs could definitely help to protect their customers against non-consensual sexual contact, but the responsibility to protect oneself ultimately lies with people.

The way that nightclubs are set-up encourages intimacy (as well as shady behavior) – the lighting is usually very dim (supposedly to set an atmosphere) and some spots are very narrow.

Also, club-goers usually adhere to a risky dress code for their nights out on the town. Yale Fox said that the "sexier" style of dressing can encourage sexual attraction.

Attraction, yes. But let us be clear that they are sexually attracted to somebody else. Attraction does not beget assault.

When you add alcohol into the mix, you see a lot of inhibitions and thought processes go out the window. It is for these factors that nightclubs carry a high inherent risk of sexual crimes.

While they are doing so, they are saying that they are doing business for the sake of having fun, they are doing so, they need to strengthen their stance against molestation and sexual assault of They do not know what they have done.

Perhaps they are coming away with a system where they are being abused.

In the United States, they called "angel shots", which was invented by a bar in Florida. The purpose of the "angel shots" is so that club-goers can ask for help.

"Angel shots" can be ordered "neat", "on the rocks", or "paired with lime" – different codewords that alert bartenders of any danger the club-goer might be in.

These codewords are made to understand that the signal for help is understood only by the bartenders and the club bosses. The bartenders can then be alerted to the threat of being threatened.

Something like these "angel shots" can help alert the attention of the authorities in an under-the-radar and help victims keep calm and remain anonymous.

Bouncers, floor men and club managers could be more clear about their responsibilities in dealing with and dealing with cases of molestation. Additional training for all nightclub staff to deal with situations like this would also be a plus.

Surveillance cameras in strategic locations will also be helpful. If the cameras are prominent easy to spot, they can act as deterrents to potential offenders.

It is the duty of nightmares to provide a safe and secure environment that does not tolerate molestation, any other forms of assault or any inappropriate behavior.

The safety of patrons must be a top priority for nightclubs. In turn, bosses need to bring good old common sense when out clubbing.

Go out with people you trust – those who can watch your back while you are out. Watch yourself, take care of yourself and those you are with.

And very importantly – if you see or hear any incidents of molestation or inappropriate behavior, do not hesitate to report to the club and immediately to the police when necessary.

While it might be easy to dismiss little groping here and there, we must never make light of that kind of behavior. Let's call it what it is – sexual assault.

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