86 Harassment, a program addressing sexual harassment and gender-based violence within the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries, announced that Spirits Canada has become a sponsor of the Women of the Vine & Spirits industry-wide initiative. As a leading voice and national trade organization representing the interests of the distilled spirits industry across Canada, joining 86 Harassment as a sponsor exemplifies Spirits Canada’s commitment to cultivating a safe and inclusive industry for all. Spirits Canada’s corporate sponsorship of 86 Harassment signals to industry professionals and customers alike that sexual violence and harassment have no place in the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries.

86 Harassment is one of the first industry-wide initiatives specifically designed for the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries to co-create an action plan aimed at reducing incidents of harassment and violence. A key initiative of Women of the Vine & Spirits, 86 Harassment aims to create a model that can be duplicated by other industries worldwide emphasizing a collective commitment to fostering safer environments for employers, employees and customers.

“We can’t thank Spirits Canada enough for their support of 86 Harassment. This commitment signals to the industry at-large that sexual violence and harassment have no place in beverage alcohol and hospitality,” said Deborah Brenner, founder and CEO of Women of the Vine & Spirits and 86 Harassment council member.

Representing Spirits Canada on the 86 Harassment Council is Catherine Eaton, vice president, finance and operations at Spirits Canada.

“There is no place for sexual harassment and gender-based violence in our industry or society at large, and Spirits Canada’s support for this initiative reflects our deep commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive and equitable environment, where every individual is treated with dignity and respect,” said Eaton. “It is an honour to serve on this council and to contribute to meaningful change, ensuring that every person can be proud to work in this sector.”

Spirits Canada joins fellow sponsors Brown-Forman, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Pernod Ricard North America, Republic National Distributing Company, and Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America.

Thanks to the generous financial funding of 86 Harassment sponsors, 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, and “Active Bystander Intervention” and “De-Escalation Training” for hospitality staff developed and conducted by Safe Bars. Additional trainings to be announced.
• 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 the industry.
• 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.