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Safer Drinking Spaces Study
Rigorous Evaluation of Training in Alcohol-Serving Venues for Sexual Violence Prevention
Who can join
Ages 18 and older · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * At least 18 years old * Able to read and speak English * Employee or patron of participating venues Exclusion Criteria: * Has any condition that, in the opinion of the PI or their designee, would preclude informed consent, make study participation unsafe, complicate interpretation of study outcome data, or otherwise interfere with achieving the study objectives.
About the study
The goal of this study is to evaluate the active bystander training provided by Safe Bars, Inc. and their local chapter organizations to staff at alcohol-serving establishments (e.g., bars). The training aims to improve norms about violence, create safer environments by teaching staff to intervene in potentially harmful situations, and help prevent sexual violence in the venue community. The study will examine the implementation and effectiveness of the training. The main questions it aims to answer are:
1. Do staff and patrons at venues that have received Safe Bars training experience lower rates of sexual violence at the venue than staff and patrons at venues that have not received the training? 2. Are staff at venues that have received Safe Bars training more likely to intervene in potentially risky situations than staff at venues that have not received the training? 3. What characteristics of venue environments and staff and patron beliefs and perceptions are responsible for effects of the training on sexual violence and bystander behavior outcomes? 4. What characteristics and conditions are necessary for effective Safe Bars implementation and improved staff and patron outcomes?
Researchers will compare staff and patron experiences at venues that have received the training with venues that are offered a delayed training. Staff and patron participants will be asked to complete surveys over about 12 months, research staff will conduct observations of training and observations in the venues, and selected venue managers and staff will be asked to complete individual interviews.
What is being tested
- Safe Bars active bystander training (behavioral)
Sponsor: RTI International · Participants: 3,180 · Started: Aug 13, 2026
Contact the study team
- Marni Kan · Phone: 919-485-2756
- Nichole Scaglione · Phone: (352) 294-0548
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07527988
Locations in the U.S.
| Arkansas | University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Little Rock |
| Florida | University of Florida, Gainesville |
| North Carolina | RTI International, Durham |
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.