Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS), a global membership organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women in the beverage alcohol industry, has announced 86 Harassment, an industry-wide initiative addressing sexual harassment and gender-based violence within the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries.
86 Harassment, which has been in development since 2020, is additionally funded and supported by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, Corporate Sponsors Pernod Ricard North America and Republic National Distributing Company, according to WOTVS.
An Initiative for Other Industries to Follow
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. The company states that its goal is to create a model that can be duplicated by other industries worldwide.
“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, in a news release. “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.”
“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, in the release. “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.”
Resources Available in 86 Harassment
The initiative 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.
- Industry-specific Dedicated Confidential Crisis Intervention Hotline operated by staff at RAINN. Telephone Crisis Intervention Services 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 will include glossary key terms and phrases, articles, reports, newsletters, and educational resources for anyone in the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries. It will also include handouts, toolkits, postcards, flyers, stickers and posters that can be downloaded and printed for on-premise and off-premise offices and for use at conferences and events.
